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Harvard Collège
Library
MOLIÈRE COLLECTION
raOll THS ORT OF
HORACE BAXTER STANTON
Cl«Mofl900
OF BOSTON
For books to be added to the collection
of Professor Ferdinand B^ber
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Molière^s Plays
Translated by Curtis Hidden Pagm
Les Femmes Savantes
(The Leamed Ladiet)
Tartuffe
(The Hypocrite)
Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme
(The Tradesman Turaed Gentlemen)
Les Précieuses Ridicules
(The Affeeted Misses)
Le Médecin malgré Lui
(The Doetor by Compulsion)
G. P. Putnam's Sons, Publishers
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Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme
(The Tradesman Tumed Gentleman)
Molière
Tnmsltted by
Gurtis Hidden Page
Late ProfeaM»r of the Romance Languaget and Literatorct in Columbia Univertitjr
G. P. Putnam's Sons
New York and London
TCbe fmicftetbocftet |>te00
1912
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Va<,i n^.^s-
/nK-^t^c^ ^^ .^pfc.4^t3^
COPVKIGHT, 1908
BV
G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS
«be mmcfcetftocker pttm, «ew ffarft
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LE
BOURGEOIS GENTILHOMME
COMEDIE-BALLET EN CINQ ACTES
14 OCTOBRE, 1670
THE TRADESMAN TURNED GEN-
TLEMAN
A COMEDY-BALLET IN FIVE ACTS
OCTOBER 14, 1670
(The original is in prose y with lyric interludes)
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INTRODUCTORY NOTE
The Tradesman tumed Gentleman is perhaps the best
of the many court entertainments, uniting music, dancing,
and comedy, which Molière fumished for the diversion
of King Louis. For his contemporaries, the chief interest
of it was in the interludes of song and dance, and especi-
ally in the '^Turkish ceremony '' which the king himself
had asked Molière to provide for. The royal treasury
expended on the arrangements, including music, costumes,
the two visits of Molière's troupe to the court, etc., no less
than 49,404 francs and 18 sous — counted with Mr. Jour-
dain's own exactness— which was an exceeding large
sum for those days.
For us, however, the chief interest of the play lies in
îts character s and its humour, in the way in which Molière
has af ter ail let the , dramaticelem^ enLiiominate the resf,
the skill with which he has made, the interludes seem an
almost necessary part of the action, the <^''"»^ »^ ^^'fr_^ ith
which he has kept within the bounds aî possi bilitv thoug h
hi s subîect seemed to lead inevitably to extravagant f arce^
and has given us, once for ail, t he etemal human comedv
of the snob > Farcical and almost impossible as the last
part of the play may seem, it was to receive an odd jus-
tification in real life sixteen years after it was produced,
in the case of the Abbé de Saint- Martin, a worthy citizen
and gênerons benef actor of his native city of Caen, who was
led to believe that the king of Siam, having read and ad-
mired his works, had made him a Mandarin and Marquis
of Mispou in New France ; and, after having been installed
in his new dignities ,by a company of University students
in disguîse, with cérémonies lasting for two days and
stranger than any imagined by Molière, he never suspected
l\ie genuineness of thèse titles, and signed them with
\ils name, to the end of his life.
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characters actors
/ Mr. Jourdain Molière
' Mrs. Jourdain, his wife,^« Hubert
r LuciLE, his daughter . . . . .- Mlle. Molière
C ^LEONTE, suitor of Lucile
/ DoRiMENE, a marquise Mlle. Debrie
vJDorante, a count, in love with Dorimène..LA Grange
' -Nicole, servant to Mr. Jourdain Mlle. Beauval
*>~Co vielle, valet to Cléonte Du Croisy
""A Music-Master Hubert
His Scholar , Gaye
—A Dancing-M ASTER La Thorilliere
-A Fencing-Master .Debrie
-A Philosophy-Master Du Croisy
v^ Master Tailor.
A JOURNEYMAN TaILOR BEAUVAL
-Two Lackeys
Musicians, Dancers, Çooks, Joumeymen Taîlors, and
other characters to dance in the interludes
The scène is at Paris
c
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THE TRADESMAN TURNED GEN-
TLEMAN
A MUSICAL COMEDY
ACT I
OverturCy pîayed by a full orchestras in the middle of
the stage the Music-Master^ s Scholar^ seated at a table^ is
composing the air for a sérénade which Mr. Jourdain has
ordered.
SCENE I
Music-MASTERy Dancing-Master, Three Singers,
Two ViOLiNisTS, Four Dangers
-^MUSIC-MASTER, to the singers
Hère, step inside, and waît untîl he cornes.
DANCING-MASTER, to the dancers
And you toc, thîs way,
music-master, to his scholar
Is it finîshed?
scholar
Yes.
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6 Molière
MUSIC-MASTER
Let *s see • . . That 's good,
DANCING-MASTER
Is it something new?
MUSIC-MASTER
Yes, 't îs the aîr for a sérénade which I hâve had
him compose^ while waiting for our gentleman to
wake up.
DANCING-MASTER
May I see ît?
MUSIC-MASTER
You shall héar ît, with the words, when he cornes.
He won't be long.
DANCING-MASTER
You and I hâve no lack of occupation now.
MUSIC-MASTER
That *s true. ' We hâve found a man hère who îs
just what we both needed. He 's a nîce little source
of income for us, thîs Mr. Jourdain, with hîs visions
of nobility and gallantry that he has got înto his j
noddle. And *t would be a fine thing for your capers
and my crotchets îf everybody were like him,
DANCING-MASTER
No, no, not quite ; I could wish, for hîs sake, that
he had some true understandîng of the good thîngs
we brîng him.
MUSIC-MASTER
T is true he understands them ill, but he
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 7
pays them well; and that is what the arts need
most nowa davs.
' DANCING-MASTER
For my part, l 'U own, I must be fed somewhat on
famé. I am sensitive to applause, and I feel that in
ail the fine arts *t îs a grievous torture to show one's
talents before fools, and to endure the barbarous
judgments of a dunce upon our compositions. There 's
great pleasure» I tell you, in working for people
who are capable of feeling the refinements of art,
who know how to give a flattering réception to the
beauties of your work, and recompense your toîl by
titillating praise. Yes, the iliost agreeable reward
possible for what we do, is to see it understood, to
see it caressed by applause that honours us. Nothing
else, methinks, can pay us so well for ail our labours;
and enlightened praise gives exquisite delight.
MUSIC-MASTER
I grant you that, and I relish it as you do. There
is surely nothing more gratifyingthan such praise as
you speak of ; but man cannot live on incense. Mère
praise won't bu y you an estate ; it tak'es something
more solid. And the best way to praise, is to praise
with open hands. Our fellow, to be sure, is a man of
little wit, who discourses at random about anything
and everything, and never applauds but at the wrong
time. But his money sets right the errors of hîs
mind ; there is judgment in his purse ; hîs praises pass
current; and this ignorant shopkeeper is worth more
to us, as you very well see, than the enlightened lord
who introduced us to his house.
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8 Molière
DANCING-MASTER
There îs some tnith în what you say ; but methinks
you set too much store by money ; and self-înterest
is something so base, that no gentleman should ever
show a leaning towards it.
MUSIC-MASTER
Yet I hâve n't seen you refuse the money our fel-
low offers you.
DANCING-MASTER
Certaînly not ; but neîther do I find thereîn ail my
happiness ; and I could still wish that with his wealth
he had good taste to boot.
MUSIC-MASTER
I could wish so too ; and 't is to that end that we
are both working, as best we may. But in any case,
he gîves us the means to make ourselves known in
the world ; he shall pay for others, and others shall
praîse for him.
DANCING-MASTER
Hère he cornes.
SCENE II
Mr. Jourdain, in dressing-gown and night-cap j Music-
Master, Dancing-Master, Dancing-Master's
SCHOLAR, SiNGERS, DANGERS, LaCKEYS
MR. JOURDAIN
Well, gentlemen ? How îs ît ? Are you going to
3how me your waggîsh trifle ?
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 9
DANCING-MASTER
How ? What waggish trîfle ?
MR. JOURDAIN
Why! Youknow . . • what d* ye call the thîng ?
Your prologue, or your dialogue în song and dance.
DANCING-MASTER
Oh! oh!
MUSIC-MASTER
You find us ready.
MR. JOURDAIN
I have kept you waîtîng a little, but 't îs because I
am to be dressed tç-day lîke people of quality, and
my tailor sent me some silk stockings that I thought
I should never get on.
MUSIC-MASTER
We are hère only to waît upon your leisure.
MR. JOURDAIN
I beg you both not to go tîll they have brought
my clothes, so that you can see me în them.
DANCING-MASTER
Whatever you will.
MR. JOURDAIN
You shall see me properly rîgged out, from head
to foot.
MUSIC-MASTER
We don't doubt ît.
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lo Molière
MR. JOURDAIN
I have had this Indian gown made for me.
DANCING-MASTER
*T îs very handsome.
MR. JOURDAIN
My tailor tells me that people of quality appear
thus in the morning.
MUSICMASTER
It becomes you marvellously.
MR. JOURDAIN^
Lackeys ! Ho, both my lackeys !
FIRST LACKEY
Your pleasure, sîr?
MR. JOURDAIN
Nothing. 'T was only to see whether you are at-
tendîng. {Ta the music-master and dancing-master)
What do you say to my liveries ?
DANCING-MASTER
They are magnificent.
MR. JOURDAIN, openitig his gown and showing his
close-fitting red velvet breeches^ and a green
velvetjacket
Thîs îs a négligée costume to take my exercise in,
in the morning.
MUSIOMASTER
*T îs very genteel.
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman n
MR. JOURDAIN
Lackey !
Sir.
FIRST LACKEY
MR. JOURDAIN
T' other lackey !
SECOND LACKEY
Sîr.
MR. JOURDAIN, taking off his dressing-gawn
Hold my gown. {To the music-master and dancing-
master) Do y ou like me so?
DANCING-MASTER
Hugely. Nothing could be better.
MR. JOURDAIN
Well, now for your affair.
MUSIC-MASTER
I should like first to hâve you hear an air whîch he
{pointing to his scholar) has just composed for the
sérénade you requested. He îs one of my scholars,
and he has an admirable talent for that sort of thing.
MR. JOURDAIN
Yes. But you had no business to get ît done by
a scholar. You were none too good for the job
yourself.
MUSIC-MASTER
Sir, the word scholar must not mîslead you. Such
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M Molière
scholars know as much as the greatest master ; and
the air is as beautiful as anything could possibly be.
Only lîsten to ît,
MR. JOURDAIN, to his lockeys
Gîve me my gown, to hear better. . . . Wait,
't will be better wîthout the gown. No, gîve ît back
to me ; that is the best way.
A SINGER
/ languish nigkt andday^ and know no end
Ofpainy since l've been slave to your fait eyes.
Ifthus^ my love y y ou use a loving friend^
A las/ what fate befallsyour enemies ?
MR. JOURDAIN
This song seems rather doleful to me ; 't is enough
to put anybody to sleep, and I wish you could liven
it up a bit hère and there.
MUSIC-MASTER
The air, sir, must be suited to the words.
MR. JOURDAIN
I learned one that was really pretty, a lîttle while
ago. Wait . . . er • • • how does it go ?
DANCING-MASTER
On my Word, I don't know.
MR. JOURDAIN
There 's lamb in it.
DANCING-MASTER
Lamb?
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 13
MR. JOURDAIN
Yes. Ah ! {He sings .•)
/ thought tny fait Jenny
As gentle as any ;
I thought tny fait Jenny
As mild as a lamby.
Butalas! butalas!
She 's more cruel by far^ she *s more cruel by far^
Than the wild tigers are.
Isn't ît pretty?
MUSIC-MASTER
Nothing could be prettier,
DANCING-MASTER
And you sîng ît well.
MR, JOURDAIN
Yet l 've never leamt music neîther.
MUSIC-MASTER
You ought to leam ît, sîr, as you do dancing.
Thèse two arts are intîmately bound together.
DANCING-MASTER
And they open a man's eyes to the beauty of
thîngs.
MR. JOURDAIN
Do people of quality leam musîc too ?
MUSIC-MASTER
Yes, sîr.
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14 Molière
MR. JOURDAIN
Then I wîll leam ît. But I don't know where I
can find the tîme ; for, besides my fencing-master, I
hâve also hired a philosophy-master, who is to begin
this morhing.
MUSIC-MASTER
Philosophy is something, to be sure ; but music
sir, music . . •
DANCING-MASTER
Music and dancing • • . Music and dancing, in
short» are ail a man needs.
MUSIC-MASTER
There is nothing so serviceàble to the State as
music.
DANCING-MASTER
There is nothing so necessary to mankind as
dancing.
MUSIC-MASTER
Without music no State can survive.
DANCING-MASTER
Without dancing a man can achieve nothing.
MUSIC-MASTER
AU disorders, ail wars that are seen în the world,
corne about merely for lack of knowing music.
DANCING-MASTER
Ail the ills of mankind, ail the tragîc mîsfortunes
that fill the historiés, ail political blunders, ail the
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 15
failures of great commanders, hâve corne merely
from lack of skill in dancing.
MR."" JOURDAIN
Howso?
MUSIOMASTER
Does not war corne from want of unison among
men?
MR. JOURDAIN
That îs true.
MUSIOMASTER
If ail men learned music, would n*t that be the
means of bringing them into harmony, and so of
obtaining universal peace on earth ?
MR. JOURDAIN
You are right.
DANCING-MASTER
When a man has been guilty of a mistake, either
in governing his^own affairs, or in guiding those of
the State, or in commanding an army, do we not
always say : Such a one has made a false step in this
affair?
MB. JOURDAIN
Ycs, that is what we say.
DANCING-MASTER
And can making a false step resuit from anythîng
but lack of skill in dancing?
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i6 Molière
MR. JOURDAIN
That îs true. You are both right.
DANCING-MASTER
Thîs should show you the excellence and profita-
bleness of dancing and music.
MR. JOURDAIN
Yes, now I understand it.
MUSIC-MASTER
Will you see our two compositions ?
MR. JOURDAIN
Yes.
MUSIC-MASTER
As I have told you, 't is a slight attempt I made
some time ago upon the différent passions music is
capable of expressing.
MR. JOURDAIN
Very good.
MUSIC-MASTER, to the mustctans
Hère, come forward. {To Mr. Jourdain) You are
to imagine that they are dressed as shepherds.
MR, JOURDAIN
Why always shepherds ? You never see an)rthîng
else, anywhere,
DANCING-MASTER
When people are to speak în music, we must, for
verisimilitude, adopt the pastoral style. Song has
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 17
f rom ail time been appropriated to shepherds ; and it
is hardly natural that courtiers or townsmen should
sing their passions in dialogue.
MR. JOURDAIN
Well, ail right. Let *s see the thing.
DIALOGUE IN MUSIC
One Womân and Two Men
WOMAN
A heart that *s subject to love's tyran t sway,
Wîth untold cares is tortured day by day.
They say it is a joy to faînt and sîgh,
But, spite of ail they say,
There 's nothing half so sweet as liberty.
FIRST MAN
There 's nothing half so sweet as tender love
That sets two hearts on fire
With one désire ;
There is no happiness apart from love.
If love be gone»
The joy of life is done.
SECOND MAN
It might be sweet to own the sway of love,
If hearts would constant prove ;
But ah ! the cruel spite !
No shepherdess is ever faîthful quîte;
Thîs fickle sex, that shames the light of day,
Will force us to abandon love for aye.
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i8 Molière
FIRST MAN
O swcet désire,
WOMAN
o freedom dear,
SECOND MAN
O sex untrue, «
FIRST MAN
What joy dost thou înspjre!
WOMAN
What love to thee I bear !
SECOND MAN
What hatred îs thy due !
FIRST MAN
Ah ! leave thîs cruel hâte, and yîeld to love !
WOMAN
And then you yet may prove
One maid can faithful be.
SECOND MAN
Let me thîs marvel see !
WOMAN
To prove our sex's truth,
My heart I offer you,
SECOND MAN
But, shepherdess, în sooth,
May I belîeve ît true ?
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 19
WOMAN
Whîch will the better love,
Corne, let us try and see !
SECOND MAN
And may the gods above
Punish inconstancy !
THE THREE TOGETHER
Ah, surely ît îs meet
To yîeld love ail hîs due ;
For love îs passing sweet
If hearts be true !
MR. JOURDAIN
Isthat ail?
MUSIC-MASTER
Yes.
MR. JOURDAIN
Well, I think ît's very neat, and there's some
rather pretty little maxims in it.
DANCING-MASTER
And now, for my contribution, hère is a little
sample of the finest movements and most graceful
attitudes possible in dancing.
MR. JOURDAIN
Are they shepherds toc ?
DANCING-MASTER
What y ou wilL {To the dancers) Now, begin.
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Qo Molière
BAZZJST
Four dancers exécute ail the différent movements and
kinds of steps that the dancing-master bids them ; and
this dance forms the first interlude.
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ACT II
SCENE I
Mr. Jourdain, Music-Master, Dancing- M aster,
Lackby
MR. JOURDAIN
That is not at ail bad, your people frisk it famously.
MUSIC-MASTER
When dance and music accompany each other, it
will produce a still finer effect ; you '11 find something
very gallant in the little ballet we hâve arranged for
you.
MR. JOURDAIN
We are to hâve it this aftemoon, mind ; the person
for whom I ordered it, is to do me the honour of
comîng to dîne hère.
DANCING-MASTER
Everything is ready.
MUSIC-MASTER
But, sir, this is not enough ; a person like you,
who lives magnificently and has a taste for beautiful
things, should hâve a concert at his house every
Wedncsday or Thursday.
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22 Molière
MR. JOURDAIN
Is that what people of quality do?
MUSIC-MASTER
Yes,.sîr.
MR. JOURDAIN
Then I shall. Will it be fine?
MUSIC-MASTER
Certaînly. You must hâve three voices, a soprano,
a counter-tenor, and a bass, accompanied by a
bass-viol, a theorbo, and a harpsichord for the sus-
tained accompaniment, with two first violins for the
variations.
MR. JOURDAIN
You must hâve a marine trumpet, too. The
marine trumpet is an instrument I like, and 't is full
of harmony.
MUSIC-MÀSTER
Leave ît ail to us.
MR. JOURDAIN
Anyhow, don't forget to send me some musicians
presently to sîng at table.
MUSIC-MASTER
You shall hav€ everythîng you should hâve.
MR. JOURDAIN
But above ail, mind you hâve a fine ballet.
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 23
MUSIC-MASTER
You will be pleased with it, and especially with
some minuets that you will find in it.
MR. JOURDAIN
Ah ! the minuet is my dance, I must hâve you
see me dance one. Corne, teacher.
DANCING-MASTER
A hàt, sir, please. {Mr. Jourdain takes his lackeys
hat, and puis it on over his nightcap. The dancing-
master takes hitn by bot h hands^ and sings the air of
a minuet for him to dance by.) La, la, la ; la, la, la,
la, la^ la; la, la, la; {Bis). La, la, la; la, la. Dance
in time, will you, please, sir. La, la, la, la, la. Now
with the right leg. La, la, la. Move your shoulders
somewhat less, sir. La, la, la, la, la ; la, la, la, la, la.
Both your arms are stiff as pokers. La, la, la, la, la.
Hold your head higher. Tum out the points of
your toes, my good sir. La, la, la. Please stand up
straight, sir.
MR. JOURDAIN
Well?
MUSIC-MASTER
Nothing could be better.
MR. JOURDAIN
By the way. Teach me how to make a bow to a
marquise. I shall need it this afternoon.
DANCING-MASTER
A bow to a marquise?
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24 Molière
MR. JOURDAIN
Yes. A marquise whose name is Dorimène.
DANCING-MASTER
Gîve me your hand.
MR, JOURDAIN
No. You do ît ; I shall remember ît ail rîght.
DANCING-MASTER
If you want to bow to her wîth great respect, you
must first draw your leg behind you and bow, then
walk toward her» making three bows forward, and at
the last one, bow as low as her knees.
MR. JOURDAIN
J ust show me. (After the dancing-master has mode
three bows) That *11 do.
SCENE II
Mr. Jourdain, Music-Master, Dancing-Master»
Lackey
LACKEY
Sir, hère is your fencing-master.
MR. JOURDAIN
Tell hîm to come în and gîve me my lesson hère.
( To the music'fnaster and dancing-master) I want you
to see me perform.
' SCENE III
Mr. Jourdain, Fencing-Master, Music-Master,
Dancing-Master, a Lackey with twofaUs
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 25
FENCING-MASTER, takingthe twofoils front the lackey
andgivingone ofthem to Mr. Jourdain
Now, sir, your salute. The body erect. Theweîght
slîghtly on the left thigh. The legs not so far apart.
Thefeetînline. The wristînlijidwîth the thigh. The
point of your sword in line with your shoulder.
The arm not quite so far extended. The left hand
on a level with the eye. The left shoulder farther
back. Head up. A bold look. Advance. The
body steady. Engage my sword in quart and finish
the thnist. One, two. Recover. Again, your fect
firm. One, two. Retreat. When you thrust, sir,
your sword must move first, and your body be
held well back, and sideways. One, two. Now,
engage my sword in tierce, and finish the thrust.
Advance. Your body steady. Advance. Now,
from that position. One, two. Recover. Again.
One, two. Retreat. On guard, sir, on guard
{fhe fencing-master gives him several thrusts), on
guard.
MR. JOURDAIN
Well?
MUSIC-MASTER
You do wonders.
FENCING-MASTER
l 've told you already : the whole secret of arms
consists in two things only: hitting and not being
hit. And as I proved to you the other day by
démonstrative logic, ît îs impossible that you should
be hit îf you know how to tum asîde your adver-
sary 's sword from the line of your body ; and that
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dépends merely on a slight movement of the wrist,
inwards or outwards.
MR. JOURDAIN
So, then, wîthout any courage, one may be sure of
killing his man and not being killed ?
FENCING-MASTER
Certainly. Did n't you see the démonstration
ofit?
MR. JOURDAIN
Yes.
FENCING-MASTER
And by thîs you may see how hîghly our pro-
fession should be esteemed in the State ; and how
far the science of arms excels ail other sciences, that
are of no use, like dancing, music • . .
DANCING-MASTER
Softly, Mr. Swordsman ; don't speak disrespect-
fully of dancing.
MUSIC-MASTER
Leam, pray, to appreciate better the excellences
of music.
FENCING-MASTER
You are absurd fellows, to think of comparing
your sciences with mine.
MUSIC-MASTER
Just see the man of conséquence!
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 27
DANCING-MASTER
The ridîculous animal» with his padded stomacher !
FENCING-MASTER
My little dancing-master, I will make you dance
to a tune of my own, and you, little songster, I will
make you sing eut lustily.
DANCING-MASTER
Mr. Ironmonger, I '11 teach you your own trade.
MR. JOURDAIN, to the dandng-master
Are you mad, to pick a quarrel wîth hîm, when he
knows tierce and quart, and can kill a man by
démonstrative logic ?
DANCING-MASTER
A fîg for his démonstrative logic, and his tierce
and his quart.
MR. JOURDAIN, to the dancing-moster
Softly, I tell you.
FENCING-MASTER, to the dancing-moster
What, little Master Impudence !
MR. JOURDAIN
Hey ! my dcar fencing-master.
DANCING-MASTER, to the fencing^mostet
What, you great cart-horse I
MR. JOURDAIN
Hey ! my dear dancing-master.
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FENCING-MASTER
If I once fall upon you • . .
MR. JOURDAIN, to tke fencing-mostet
Gently.
DANCING-MASTER
If I once lay hands on you . . .
MR. JOURDAIN, to the dancing-master
So, so.
FENCING-MASTER
I will give you such a dressing ...
MR. JOURDAIN, to the feticing-master
I beg you.
DANCING-MASTER
I will gîve you such a drubbing . . .
MR. JOURDAIN, to the dancing-master
I beseech you . . .
V
MUSIC-MASTER
Let US teach hîm manners a lîttle.
MR. JOURDAIN
Good Heavens! do stop.
SCENE IV
A Professor of Philosophy, Mr. Jourdain, Music-
Master, Dancing-Master, Fencing-Master,
Lackev
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 29
MR. JOURDAIN
Oho ! Mr. Philosopher, you Ve arrived in the nîck
of time with your philosophy. Do corne and set
thèse people hère at peace.
THB PHILOSOPHER
How now ? What îs the matter, gentlemen ?
MR. JOURDAIN
They hâve put themselves în a passion, about the
precedence of their professions, and even insulted
each other and almost corne to blows.
THE PHILOSOPHER
O fie, gentlemen ! Should a man so lose his self-
control? Hâve you not read the learned treatise
which Seneca composed, Of Angerf Is there any-
thing more base or shameful than this passion,
which of a man makes a savage beast ? Should not
reason be mistress of ail our émotions ?
DANCING-MASTER
How, how, sir! Hère he comes and insults us
both, by contemning dancing, which I practise, and
music, which is his profession.
THE PHILOSOPHER
A wîse man is above ail the insults that can be
ofiFered him ; and the chîef answer which we should
make to ail offences, is calmness and patience.
FENCING-MASTER
They both hâve the insolence to think of compar-
ing their professions with mine !
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THE PHILOSOPHER
Should that move you ? 'T îs not for vain glory
and precedence that men should contend; what
really distinguishes us from each other is wisdony
and vîrtue. '
DANCING-MASTER
I maintain to his face that dancing is a science
which cannot be too highly honoured.
MUSIC-MASTER
And I» that music is a science which ail âges hâve
reverenced.
FENCING-MASTBR
And I maintain, against both of them, that the
science of f encing is the finest and most indispensable
of ail sciences.
THE PHILOSOPHER
But what then becomes of philosophy ? I think
you are ail three mighty impertinent to speak with
such arrogance before me, and impudently to give
the name of science to things which ought not even
to be honoured with the name of art, and which may
best be classed together as pitiful trades, whether of
prize^fighters, ballad-mongers, or mountebanks.
FENCING-MASTER
Go to, dog of a philosopher.
MUSIC-MASTER
Go to, beggarly peda^gue.
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 31
DANCING-MASTER
Go tOy past master pédant.
THE PHILOSOPHER
What, you rascally knaves ! . . . {He falls upon
them^ and they ail three be labour him with blows.)
MR. JOURDAIN
Mr. Phaosopher!
THE PHILOSOPHER
Villaîns ! varlets ! insolent vermîn !
MR. JOURDAIN
Mr. Philosopher !
FENCING-MASTER
Plague take the beast !
MR. JOURDAIN
Gentlemen !
THE PHILOSOPHER
Brazen-faced ruffians !
MR. JOURDAIN
Mr. Philosopher!
DANCING-MASTER
Deuce take the old pack-mule !
MR. JOURDAIN
Gentlemen !
THE PHILOSOPHER
Scoundrels ! ^
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MR. JOURDAIN
Mr. Philosopher!
MUSIC-MASTER
Devil take the impertinent puppy !
MR. JOURDAIN
Gentlemen !
THE PHILOSOPHER
Thîeves ! vagabonds ! rogues ! împostors f
MR. JOURDAIN
Mr. Philosopher ! Gentlemen ! Mr. Philosopher 1
Gentlemen ! Mr. Philosopher ! {Exeunt fighting.)
SCENE V
Mr. Jourdain, Lackey
MR. JOURDAIN
Oh! fight as much as you please; I can't help ît,
and I won't go spoil my gown tryîng to part you.
I should be mad to thrust myself among them, and
get some blow that might do me a mischief.
SCENE VI
The Philosopher, Mr. Jourdain, Lackey
THE PHILOSOPHER, straightenifig his collar
Now for our lesson.
MR. JOURDAIN
Oh ! sir, I am sorry for the blows you got.
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 33
THE PHILOSOPHER
That 's nothing. A philosopher knows how to
take things aright; and I shall compose a satire
against them in Juvenal's manner, which will eut
them up properly. But let that pass. What do you
wanttoleam?
MR. JOURDAIN
Ever)rthîng I can ; for I hâve the greatest désire
conceîvable to be learned ; it throws me in a rage to
think that my father and mother did not make me
study ail the sciences when I was young.
THE PHILOSOPHER
That is a reasonable sentiment ; fianiy sine doctrina^
vita est quasi ^mortis imago. You understand that,
for of course you know Latin.
MR. JOURDAIN
Yes;but play that I don*t know it; and explain
what it means.
THE PHILOSOPHER
It means that, without learning^ life is almost an
image of death.
MR. JOURDAIN
That same Latin 's in the right.
THE PHILOSOPHER
Have you not some foundations, some rudiments
of knowledge ?
MR. JOURDAIN
Oh ! yes, I can read and write.
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THE PHILOSOPHER
Where will you please to hâve us begin ? Shall I
teach you logic ?
MR. JOURDAIN
What may that same logic be ?
THE PHILOSOPHER
'T is the science that teaches the three opérations
of the mind.
MR. JOURDAIN
And who are they, thèse three opérations of the
mind?
THE PHILOSOPHER
The first, the second» and the third. The first is
to conceive arîght, by means of unîversals; the
second, to judge aright» by means of the catégories ;
and the third, to draw déductions aright, by means
of the figures: Barbara^ Celarent^ Darih FeriOy
Baralipton.
MR. JOURDAIN
There 's a pack of crabbed words. Thîs logic
does n*t suit me at ail. Let 's learn sonaething else
that 's prettier.
THE PHILOSOPHER
Will you learn ethics?
Ethics?
Yes.
MR. JOURDAIN
THE PHILOSOPHER
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 35
MR. JOURDAIN
What îs your ethics about ?
THE PHILOSOPHER
It treats of happiness, teaches men to moderate
their passions, and • • •
MR. JOURDAIN
No ; no more of that. I am cholerîc as the whole
pack of devils, ethics or no ethics ; no, sir, I '11 be
angry to my heart's content, whenever I hâve a mind
toit.
THE PHILOSOPHER
Is it physics you want to leam ?
MR. JOURDAIN
And what has this physics to say for itself ?
THE PHILOSOPHER
Physics is the science which explains the principles
of natural phenomena, and the properties of bodies ;
which treats of the nature of the éléments, metals,
minerais, stones, plants, and animais, and teaches us
the causes of ail such things as meteors, the rainbow,
St. Elmo's fire, comets, lightning, thunder, thunder-
boltSy rain, snow, hail, winds, and whirlwinds.
'/.,
MR. JOURDAIN
There 's too much jingle-jangle in that, too much
hurly-burly. ////
THE PHILOSOPHER
Then what do you want me to teach you ?
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MR. JOURDAIN
Teach me spelling.
THE PHILOSOPHER
Wîth ail my heart.
MR. JOURDAIN
And afterwardy you shall teach me the almanac,
so as to know when there 's a moon, and when there
' îs n't.
THE PHILOSOPHER
Very well. To foUow up your Une of thought
logically, and treat this matter in true philosophie
fashion, we must begin, according to the proper
order of things, by an exact knowledge of the nature
of the letters, and the différent method of pronounc-
ing each one. And on that head I must tell you
that the letters are divîded into vowels, so called —
vowels — because they express the sounds of the voice
alone; and consonants, so called — con-sonants — be-
cause they Sound with the vowels, and only mark
the différent articulations of the voice. There are
five vowels, or voices : A, E, I, O, U.
MR. JOURDAIN
I understand ail that.
THE PHILOSOPHER
The vowel A is formed by opening the mouth
wîde : A. *
* The vowels must of course be pronounced as in French: approxi-
mately« A as in father, E as in they, I as in machine, O as in note;
the Frendi U has no équivalent in English, but is like the German tt.
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 37
MR. JOURDAIN
A, A. Ycs.
THE PHILOSOPHER
The vowel E îs formed by lifting the lowcr jaw
nearer to the upper: A, E.
MR. JOURDAIN
A, E ; A, E. On my word, 't is so. Ah ! how fine !
THE PHILOSOPHER
And the vowel I, by bringing the jaws still nearer
together, and stretching the corners of the mouth
toward the cars ; A, E, I.
MR. JOURDAIN
A, E, I, I, I, I. That is true. Science forever !
THE PHILOSOPHER
The vowel O is formed by opening the jaws, and
drawing in the lips at the corners : O.
MR. JOURDAIN
O, O. Nothing could be more correct : A, E, I,
O, I, O. T is admirable 1 I, O ; I, O.
THE PHILOSOPHER
The opening of the mouth looks exactly like a lîttle
circle, representing an O.
MR. JOURDAIN
O, O, O. You are right. O. Ah ! What a fine
thing ît is to know something !
THE PHILOSOPHER
The vowel U is formed by bringing the teeth to-
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gether without letting them quite touch, and thrusting
out the lips, at the same time bringing them together
without quite shutting them : U.
MR. JOURDAIN
U, u. Nothing could be truer: U.
THE PHILOSOPHER
Your lips are extended as îf you were pouting;
therefore îf you wish to make a face at anyone, and
mock at him, you hâve only to say U.
MR. JOURDAIN
U, U. T îs tnie. Ah ! would I had studied sooner,
to know ail that !
THE PHILOSOPHER
To-morrow, we wîll consider the other letters,
namely the consonants.
MR. JOURDAIN
Are there just as curious things about them as
about thèse ?
THE PHILOSOPHER
Certaînly. The consonant D, for instance, îs pro-
nounced by clapping the tip of the tongue just above
the upper teeth : D.
MR. JOURDAIN
D, D. Yes ! Oh ! what fine things ! what fine
things !
THE PHILOSOPHER
The F, by resting the upper teeth on the lower
Mp : F.
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 39
MR. JOURDAm
F, F. 'T îs the very truth. Oh ! father and mothcr
of me, what a grudge I owe you !
THE PHILOSOPHER
And the R by lifting the tip of the tongue to the
roof of the mouth ; so that being grazed by the air,
whîch cornes out sharply, it yields to it, yet keeps
retuming to the same point, and so makes a sort of
trilling : R, Ra.
MR. JOURDAIN
R, R, Ra, R, R, R, R, R, Ra. That îs fine. Oh !
what a learned man you are, and how much time
I Ve lost ! R, R, R, Ra.
THE PHILOSOPHER
I will explain ail thèse curions things to you
thoroughly.
MR. JOURDAIN
Do, I beg you. But now, I must tell you a great
secret. I am in love with a person of very high rank,
and I wish you would help me to write her something
irt a little love-note which I '11 drop at her feet.
THE PHILOSOPHER
Excellent !
MR. JOURDAIN
'T will be very gallant, will it not ?
THE PHILOSOPHER
Surely. Do you want to write to her in verse ?
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MR. JOURDAIN
No, no ; none of your verse.
THE PHILOSOPHER
You want mère prose ?
MR. JOURDAIN
No, I will hâve neîther prose nor verse.
THE PHILOSOPHER
It must needs be one or the other.
MR. JOURDAIN
Why?
THE PHILOSOPHER
For thîs reason, that there is nothing but prose or
verse to express oneself by.
MR. JOURDAIN
There îs nothing but prose or verse?
THE PHILOSOPHER
No, sîr. AU that îs not prose îs verse, and ail that
îs not verse îs prose.
MR. JOURDAIN
But when we talk, what îs that, say ?
THE PHILOSOPHER
Prose.
MR. JOURDAIN
What ! When I say : " Nîcole, bring me my
slîppers and gîve me my nîghtcap," that 's prose ?
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 41
THE PHILOSOPHER
Yes, sîr.
MR. JOURDAIN
On my word, I Ve bcen speaking prose thèse forty
years» and never knew it ; I am infinitely obliged to
you for having informed me of this. Now I want to
Write to her in a note: Fair Marquise^ y ont fait eyes
maki me die of love; but I want it to be put in gallant
fashion, and neatly turned.
THE PHILOSOPHER
Say that the fires of her eyes reduce your heart to
ashes ; that night and day you suffer for her ail the
tortures of a • • .
MR. JOURDAIN
No, no, no, I want none of ail that. I will hâve
nothing but what I told you : Fair Marquise^ your
fair eyes make me die of love.
THE PHILOSOPHER
You must enlarge upon the matter a little.
MR. JOURDAIN
No, I tell you. I '11 hâve none but those very
words in the note, but put in a fashionable way,
arranged as they should be. Pray tell me over the
différent ways they can be put, so that I may see.
THE PHILOSOPHER
You can first of ail put them as you saîd : Fair
Marquise^ your fair eyes make me die of love. Or
else : Of lave to die me make, fair Marquise, your
fair eyes. Or else : Your fair eyes of love me make.
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fair Marquise y ta die. Or else : To die your fait eyes,
fait Marquise y of love me make. Or else : Me make
your fair eyes die^ fair Marquise^ of love. ,
MR. JOURDAIN
But which of ail thèse ways is the best?
THE PHILOSOPHER
The way you said it : Fair Marquise^ your fair
eyes make me die of love.
MR. JOURDAIN
And y et 1 never studied, and I dîd ît at the first
try. I thank you with ail my heart, and beg you to
corne again to-morrow early,
THE PHILOSOPHER
I shall not fail to.
SCENE VII
Mr. Jourdain, Lackey
MR. JOURDAIN, to the lackey
What ! Hâve n't my clothes corne yet ?
LACKEY
No, sir.
MR. JOURDAIN
That cursed taîlor makes me wait a long whîle, on
a day when l 'm so busy. I am furîous. May the
quartan ague wrîng this villaîn of a tailor unmerci-
f ully ! To the devil with the tailor ! Plague choke
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 43
the taîlor ! If I had hîm hère now, that wretch of a
tailor, that dog of a tailor, that scoundrel of a tailor,
l 'd . . .
SCENE VIII
Mr. Jourdain, a Master-Tailor ; a Jôurneyman-
Tailor, carrying Mr. Jourdain^ s suit; Lackey
MR. JOURDAIN
Ah ! se there you are ! I was just going to gct
angry wîth you.
MASTER-TAILOR
I could not corne sooner, I had twenty men at
work on your clothes.
MR. JOURDAIN
You sent me some sîlk stockîngs so tîght'that^I
had dreadful work gettîng them on, and there are
two stitches broke în them already,
MASTER-TAILOR
If anythîng, they will grow only too loose.
MR. JOURDAIN
Yes, îf I keep on breakîng out stitches. And you
made me some shoes that pinch horribly.
MASTER-TAILOR
Not at ail, sir.
MR. JOURDAIN
What I Not at ail ?
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MASTER-TAILOR
No, they do not pînch you.
MR. JOURDAIN
I tell you they do pînch me.
MASTER-TAILOR
You imagine it.
MR. JOURDAIN
I imagine it because I feel it. A fine way, of talk-
ing!
MASTER-TAILOR
There, this is one of the very handsomest and
best matched of court costumes. 'T is a masterpiece
to hâve invented a suit that is dignified, yet not of
black; and l 'd give the most cultured tailors six
trials and defy them to equal it.
MR. JOURDAIN
What 's this ? You hâve put the flowers upsîde
down.
MASTER-TAILOR
You dîd n*t tell me you wanted them right end up.
MR. JOURDAIN
Was there any need to tell you that ?
MASTER-TAILOR
Why, of course. Ail persons of quality wear them
this way.
MR. JOURDAIN
Persons of quality wear the flowers upsidé down ?
A
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 45
MASTER-TAILOR
Yes, sîr.
MR. JOURDAIN
Oh ! that 's ail rîght then.
MASTER-TAILOR
If you wîsh, I will put them rîght end up.
MR. JOURDAIN
No, no.
MASTER-TAILOR
You have only to say the word.
MR. JOURDAIN
No, I tell you ; you dîd rîghtly. Do you thînk
the clothes wîU fit me ?
MASTER-TAILOR
i A pretty question ! I defy any painter, wîth hîs
^— -n brush, to make you a doser fit. I have in my shop
a fellow that îs the greatest genîus in the world for
setting up a pair of German breeches ; and another
who is the hero of our âge for the eut of a doublet.
MR. JOURDAIN
Are the wîg and the feathers just as they should
be?
MASTER-TAILOR
Ever)^ing is just right.
MR. JOURDAIN, looking at the tailor's suit
Ah I ah ! Mr. Tailor, hère is some of the cloth from
my last suit you made me. I know it perfectly.
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46 Molière
MASTER-TAILOR
The cloth seemed to me so fine that I thought
well to eut a suit for myself eut of ît.
MR. JOURDAIN
Yes ; but you ought net to hâve cabbaged ît out
of mine.
MASTER-TAILOR
WîU you put on your suit ?
MR. JOURDAIN
Yes ; let me hâve it.
MASTER-TAILOR
Waît. That îs not the way to do things. I hâve
brought my men with me to dress you to music;
clothes such as thèse must be put on with ceremony.
Ho ! enter, you fellows.
S€;ENE IX
Mr. Jourdain, Master-Tailor, Journeyman-Tailor;
Dangers, in the costume of journeymen-tailors ;
Lackey.
MASTER-TAILOR, to hisjourneymen
Put on the gentleman's suit, in the style you use
for persons of quality.
FIRST BALLET
Enter four journeymen-tailors, two of whom pull off
Mr. Jourdain's breeches that he had on for his exercise,
and the other two his jacket ; then they put on his new
suit ; and Mr. Jourdain walks about among them, show-
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 47
ing off his suit, to see if it is ail right. Ail this to the
accompaniment of full orchestra.
JOURNEYMAN-TAILOR
Noble Sir, please give the tailor's men something
to drink.
MR. JOURDAIN
What dîd you call me ?
JOURNEYMAN-TAILOR
Noble Sîr.
MR, JOURDAIN
Noble Sîr ! That îs what ît is to dress as a person
of quality ! You may go clothed as a tradesman ail
your days, and nobody will call you Noble Sir. {Giv-
ing hint money) There, that 's for Noble Sîr.
JOURNEYMAN-TAILOR
My Lord» we are greatly oblîged to you.
MR. JOURDAIN
My Lord ! Oh ! oh ! My Lord ! Waît, f riend ;
My Lord deserves something, 't is no mean word,
.My Lord I There, there 's what His Lordship gives
you.
JOURNEYMAN-TAILOR
My Lord, we will ail go and drink Your Grace's
health.
MR. JOURDAIN
Your Grâce ! Oh ! oh ! oh ! waît ; don't go. Your
Grâce, to me I {Asidé) Faith, îf he goes as far as
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Your Highness he'll empty my purse. (Alaud)
There, there 's for Your Grâce.
JOURNEYMAN-TAILOR
My Lord, we thank you most humbly for your
generosîty.
MR. JOURDAIN
He dîd well to stop. I was just going to gîve ît
ail to him.
SECOND BALLET
The four journeymen-tailors celebrate Mr. Jourdain's
liberality with a dance, which forms the second interlude.
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J
ACT III
SCENE I
Mr. Jourdain, Two Lackeys
MR. JOURDAIN
Follow me, while I takè a walk and show my
clothes through the town; and by ail means take
care, both of you, to walk close at my heels, so that
everyone may be sure you belong to me.
LACKEY
Yes, sîr.
MR. JOURDAIN
Call Nicole hère, I want to gîve her some orders.
No, don't move ; hère she cornes.
SCENE II
Mr. Jourdain, Nîodi-E, Two Lackeys
Nicole !
Yes, sir?
Listen.
MR. JOURDAIN
NICOLE
MR. JOURDAIN
49
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50 Molière
NICOLE, laughing
He, he, he, he, he.
MR. JOURDAIN
What are you laughing at ?
NICOLE
He, he, he, he, he, he.
MR. JOURDAIN
What does the hussy mean ?
NICOLE
He, he, he. What a figure you eut ! He, he, he.
MR. JOURDAIN
How now ?
NICOLE
Oh ! oh ! my gracîous ! He, he, he, he, he.
MR. JOURDAIN
What a jade hâve we hère? Are you making
sport of me ?
NICOLE
' No, no, sîr ; I should be very sorry to do so. He
he, he, he, he, he.
MR. JOURDAIN
I '11 gîve you one on the nose, îf you laugh any
more.
NICOLE
Sir, I can't help ît. He, he, he, he, he, he.
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The Tradesman Tumed Gentleman 51
' MR. JOURDAIN
Won*t you hâve done?
NICOLE
Sir, I ask your pardon ; but you look so funny, I
can't keep from laughing. He, he» he.
MR. JOURDAIN
Just see her insolence !
NICOLE
You *re downright comical like that. He, he.
MR. JOURDAIN
I 'U . • .
NICOLE
Oh, please forgive me. He, he, he, he.
MR. JOURDAIN
Look hère, if you laugh again the least bit in
the world, I swear I '11 give you the worst cuffing
that ever was.
NICOLE
Well ! sir, ît *s over ; I won't laugh any more.
MR. JOURDAIN
Mind you don't. You must clean up for this
dftemoon . . ,
NICOLE
He, he.
MR. JOURDAIN
Clean up properly . . .
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52 Molière
NICOLE
He, he.
MR. JOURDAIN
You musty I say, clean up the great hall and • • •
NICOLE
He, he.
MR, JOURDAIN
What, agaîn ?
NICOLE, tumbling down with laughter
Oh, sîr, beat me if you like, but let me hâve my
laugh out ; 't will be better for me so, He, he, he.
MR. JOURDAIN
1 11 go mad !
NICOLE
For goodness sake, sîr, I beseech you let me laugh.
He, he, he.
MR. JOURDAIN
If I begîn to • . •
NICOLE
Sî-sîr, I shall bu-burst îf I can't laugh. He, he, he.
MR. JOURDAIN
Was ever such a hussy seen, to come and laugh
impudently în my face, înstead of takîng my orders?
NICOLE
What do you want me to do, sîr?
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 53
MR. JOURDAIN
Take care, you slut, to get my house ready for
the Company that is to corne presently,
NICOLE, picking herself up
Ah ! faith» I Ve no désire to laugh any more ; ail
your Company makes such a litter in the place that
the very word 's enough to put me out of temper.
MR. JOURDAIN
Of course I ought to shut my doors to everyone, to
please you ?
NICOLE
You ought at least to shut them to certain people.
SCENE III
Mrs. Jourdain, Mr. Jourdain, Nicole, Two Lackeys
MRS. JOURDAIN
Aha ! Hère 's a fresh extravagance ! Now look
hère, husband, what îs ail this outfit? Hâve you
lost your sensés to go and harness yourself up in
such a fashion? D'ye want to make yourself a
laughing-stock everywhere ?
MR. JOURDAIN
None but fools, wîfe, will laugh at me.
MRS. JOURDAIN
Many will they, and they hâve n't waited tîU now
neither; long enough already your doings hâve
made everybody laugh.
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54 Molière
MR. JOURDAIN
Now who îs that everybody, îf you please î
MRS. JOURDAIN
That everybody îs a body that îs în the right, and
has more sensé than you hâve. For my part, l 'm
scandalîsed at the lîfe you lead. I don't know what
to call our house any more. Anybody would say ît'
îs carnival hère every day ; from the first thîng în
the mornîng, for fear you should lose a mînute,
there's nothing but caterwauling of fiddlers and
sîngersy that disturbs the whole neîghbourhood.
NICOLE
Madam says true. I can never get the house to
rîghtSy with ail this gang of folks that you brîng în.
Theîr feet ransack every quarter of the town for mud
to brîng în hère ; and our poor Françoîse îs almost
wom out wîth scrubbîng the floors your pretty mas-
ters daub as regularly as the day comes round.
MR. JOURDAIN
Hoîty-toîty, maîd Nîcolel you hâve a mîghty
quîck tongue for a peasant wench !
MRS. JOURDAIN
Nicole îs right ; she has more sensé than you hâve.
l 'd lîke to know what use you hâve for a dancîng-
master» at your tîme of life.
NICOLE
And for a great gawk of a fencîng-master, who
comes stampîng round and shakîng the whole house
down, and tears up ail the tîles în the floor.
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman ss
MR. JOURDAIN
Silence, you, servant, and you, wîfe.
MRS. JOURDAIN
Do you want to learn to dance, against the tîme
you '11 hâve no more legs?
NICOLE
Do you want to murder somebody ?
MR. JOURDAIN
Silence, I say; you are both ignoramuses. You
don't know the prérogatives of ail this.
MRS. JOURDAIN
You 'd do much better to think of getting your
daughter marrîed, now that she 's of an âge to be
established in life.
MR. JOURDAIN
I shall think of marrying my daughter when there
appears a fit match for her, but in the meantime
I shall think of leaming fine things.
NICOLE
What 's more, madam, I Ve heard that to-day, to
make the mess worse, he 's got him a philosopher.
MR. JOURDAIN
In good deed I hâve. I mean to hâve leaming,
and know how to talk upon various subjects in
polite Society.
MRS. JOURDAIN
Won't you go to school one of thèse days, and
get a floggîng, at your âge ?
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56 Molière
MR. JOURDAIN
Why not? Would to God I were flogged pre-
sently, and before everyone, could I but know the
things they leam at school !
NICOLE
Yes, faith, that would mightily help the shape o£
your legs.
MR. JOURDAIN
Yes îndeed.
MRS. JOURDAIN
Ail that îs mîghty needful for the management of
your house.
MR. JOURDAIN ^-
Certainly it is. You both talk like idiots, and I
am ashamed of your ignorance. {To Mrs. Jourdain)
Now do you know, for instance, what you are speak-
ing at this moment ?
MRS. JOURDAIN
Yes, I know that what I am speaking is mighty
well spoken, and that you ought to change your ways.
MR. JOURDAIN
I don't mean that. l 'm asking you what the
words are that you are speaking now?
MRS. JOURDAIN
They 're mighty sensible, and that *s more than
can be said of your conduct.
MR. JOURDAIN
I don't mean that, I tell you. l 'm asking you
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 57
what this îs that l 'm speaking to you, that I *m
saying to you now ?
MRS. JOURDAIN '
'T is stuff and nonsense.
MR. JOURDAIN
No, no, ît îs not that. What are both of us say-
ing, the language we are usîng at this moment ?
MRS. JOURDAIN
Well?
MR. JOURDAIN
Whatisitcalled?
MRS. JOURDAIN
It ÎS called whatever you please to call ît.
MR. JOURDAIN
It ÎS prose, ignoramus.
MRS. JOURDAIN
Prose?
MR. JOURDAIN
Yes, prose. AU that is prose is not verse ; and ail
that îs not verse is not prose. There ! see what it is
to study. {To Nicole) Now you, do you know what
you must do to say U ?
NICOLE
How?
MR. JOURDAIN
Ves. What do you do when you say U?
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;
Molière
NICOLE
What?
MR. JOURDAIN
Just say U, to
see.
NICOLE
Well! U,
MR. JOURDAIN
What did you
do?
NICOLE
I said U.
MR. JOURDAIN
Yes ; but when you saîd U, what dîd you do?
NICOLE
I did as you bid me.
MR. JOURDAIN
Oh! what a thîng ît is to hâve to deal wîth
dunces ! You thrust out your lips, and let the under
jaw fall to meet the upper: U, d' ye see? U,
I make a face : U.
NICOLE
Yes, *t is fine.
MRS. JOURDAIN
Quîte wonderful.
MR. JOURDAIN
'T îs stîU finer if you had only seen O, and D, D,
and F, F.
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 59
MRS. JOURDAIN
What *s ail thîs rigmarole ?
NICOLE
What does ît ail cure you of ?
MR. JOURDAIN
It makes me furious to see such ignorant females.
MRS. JOURDAIN
Go to, you ought to send ail those folks packing, .
wîth theîr fol-de-rols.
NICOLE
Especîally that great scraggy lout of a fencîng-
master, who fiUs my whole house wîth dust.
MR. JOURDAIN
Hoîty-toîty, that fencîng-master sticks în your
crop! l'U show you your foolishness presently.
{He orders the foils to be brought^ and gives one to
Nicole.') There, now for démonstrative proof. The
line of the body. When anyone thrusts at you in
quart you hâve only to do this, and when one thrusts
at you în tierce, you hâve only to do this. That 's
the sure way never to be kîUed ; and is n't ît a fine
thîng to know what to trust to when you hâve to
fight anyone ? Now, thrust at me a little, to see.
NICOLE
Well then! Now. {^Nicole gives him several
thrusts.)
MR. JOURDAIN
Softiyl Ho! Holdl Ohîgentiy. Deucetakc
the minx !
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6o Molière
NICOLE
You tell me to thrust.
MR. JOURDAIN
Yes; but you thrust at me in tierce before you
thrust în quart, and you don't hâve patience to wait
tîU I parry.
MRS. JOURDAIN
You 're out of your mînd, husband, with ail yourA
fads ; it has ail come upon you sînce you Ve taken ij: \y
into your head to keep company with the nobility. '
MR. JOURDAIN
In keeping company with the nobility I show my |
judgment ; 't is much better than herding with your
vulgar sort.
MRS. JOURDAIN
Yes, my faith and trothl there îs much to be
gained by going with your nobility, and you Ve
made gfreat work on *t with this fine gentleman the
Count, whom you 're so bewitched with !
MR. JOURDAIN
Silence ; take care what you say. Do you know^
wife, that you don't know of whom you 're speaking,
when you speak of him? He is a person of more
importance than you think, a great lord who is re-
spected at court, and who speaks to the king just for
ail the world as l 'm talking to you now. Is n't ît a
thing that does me huge honour, to hâve a person of
his quality come to see me so often» and call me hîs
dear friend, and treat me as if I were his equal?
He has such kindness for me as you *d never guess ;
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 6i
and he embraces me before people so much that I
am confounded at ît tnyself.
MRS. JOURDAIN
Yes, he 's mîghty kind and caressing wîth you ;
but he borrows your money.
MR. JOURDAIN
Well ! îs n't ît an honour to me, to lend money to
a man of his rank? And could I do less for a lord
who calls me hîs dear friend ?
MRS. JOURDAIN
And what does this lord do for you ?
MR. JOURDAIN
Thîngs that would astonish you, if you dîd but
know them.
MRS. JOURDAIN
WeU,what?
MR. JOURDAIN
Enough! I cannot explaîn myself. *Tîs sufficîent
that if I hâve lent him money, he wîU pay it back
exactly, and that before long.
MRS. JOURDAIN
Yes. Just you wait till he does.
MR. JOURDAIN
Certainly. Dîd n't he say he would ?
MRS. JOURDAIN
Yes, yes, you can trust him — not to.
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62 Molièrb
MR. JOURDAIN
He swore to me on his honour as a gentleman. \
MRS. JOURDAIN
Rubbish!
MR. JOURDAIN
Heyday ! you are hugely obstinate, wîfe ! I tell
you he will keep his word to me ; I am sure of it
MRS. JOURDAIN
And I am sure he won't ; and ail the caresses he
loads you with are only to wheedle you.
MR. JOURDAIN
Hold your tongue. Hère he cornes.
MRS. JOURDAIN
That is the last straw. Perhaps he 's coming to
borrow some more of you. The veiy sight of hîm
takes away my appetite.
MR. JOURDAIN
Hold your tongue, I tell you.
SCENE IV
Dorante, Mr. Jourdain, Mrs. Jourdain, Nicole
DORANTE
My dear friend, Mr. Jourdain, how are you to-day ?
MR. JOURDAIN
Very well, sir, and humbly at your service.
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 63
DORANTE
And Mrs. Jourdain there, how does she do ?
MRS. JOURDAIN
Mrs. Jourdain does as well as she can.
DORANTE
Why ! Mr. Jourdain, you 're dressed most gen-
teelly.
MR. JOURDAIN
As you see.
DORANTE
You make a fine figure in that suit! There 's
never a young fellow at court that is better set up
than you are.
MR. JOURDAIN
Eh, eh!
MRS. JOURDAIN, aside
He scratches him where it itches.
DORANTE
Tum round. 'T is altogether élégant
MRS. JOURDAIN, aside
Yes, as much fool behînd as before.
DORANTE
Ton honour, Mr. Jourdain, I was in a great impa-
tience to see you. You are the man I esteem most
in ail the world ; and I was speaking of you agam,
thîs mornîng, in the Kîng's bed-chamber.
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64 Molière
MR, JOURDAIN
You do me much honour, sir. {To Mrs. Jourdain)
In the King's bed-chamber !
DORANTE
Corne, put your hat on.
MR. JOURDAIN
Sir, I know the respect I owe to you.
DORANTE
Bless me, put it on. No ceremony between us, I
beseech you.
MR. JOURDAIN
Sir . . .
DORANTE
Put ît on, I tell you, Mr. Jourdain ; you are my
friend.
MR. JOURDAIN
Sir, I am your humble servant.
DORANTE
I wîU not be covered unless you are.
MR. JOUKOAllff putting' on Au hat
I '11 rather be unmannerly than troublesome.
DORANTE
I am your debtor, as you know.
MRS. JOURDAIN, aside
Yes ; we know it only too welL
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 65
DORANTE
You have generously lent me money on several
occasions, and have done me that service wîth the
best grâce în the world, I must say.
MR. JOURDAIN
Oh! sîr.
DORANTE
But I know how to repay what îs lent me, and
show my gratitude for the favours done me.
MR. JOURDAIN
I do not doubt ît, sîr.
DORANTE
I want to settle wîth you, and have come now to
make up our accounts together.
MR. JOURDAIN, oside to Mrs. Jourdain
There, wîfe ! you see how wrong you were.
DORANTE
I lîke to get out of debt as soon as I can.
MR. JOURDAIN, aside to Mrs. Jourdain
I told 3rou so.
DORANTE
Let nis see how much I owe you.
MR. JOURDAIN, aside to Mrs. Jourdain
Now where are you, wîth your absurd suspicions?
DORANTE
Do you remember exactly ail the money you have
lent me ?
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66 Molière
MR. JOURDAIN
I think so. I hâve made a little mémorandum of
it. Hère it is. Griven to you at one time, two hun-
dred louis.
DORANTE
True.
MR. JOURDAIN
Another time, six score.
DORANTE
Just so.
MR. JOURDAIN
And another time, one hundred and forty.
DORANTE
Right.
MR. JOURDAIN
Thèse three items make four hundred and sixty
louisy which come to five thousand and sixty francs.
DORANTE
The reckoning is exact. Five thousand and sixty
francs.
MR. JOURDAIN
One thousand eight hundred and thirty-two francs
to your feather-merchant.
DORANTE
Precisely.
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 67
MR. JOURDAIN
Two thousand seven hundred and eighty francs to
your tailor.
DORANTE
Right again.
MR. JOURDAIN
Four thousand three hundred and seventy-nine
francs, twelve sous, and eîght deniers to your draper.
DORANTE
Excellent. Twelve sous and eight deniers; the
account is exact.
MR. JOURDAIN
And one thousand seven hundred and forty-eight
francs, seven sous, and four deniers to your saddler.
DORANTE
Eyery thîng is correct. How much does it ail make ?
MR. JOURDAIN
Sum total, fifteen thousand eight hundred francs.
DORANTE
Sum total, right. Fifteen thousand eight hundred
francs. Now add two hundred pistoles more which
you wîU gîve me : that wîU make exactly eighteen
thousand francs, which I will pay you at the earliest
opportunîty.
MRS. JOURDAIN, oside to Mr. Jourdain
Well ! dîd n't I guess right ?
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68 Molière
MR. JOURDAIN, oside to Mrs. Jourdain
Silence.
DORANTE
Will ît inconvenience you, to gîve me the sum in
question ?
MR. JOURDAIN
Oh! no.
MRS. JOURDAIN, oside to Mr. Jourdain
The fellow takes you for a milch cow.
MR. JOURDAIN, oside to Mrs. Jourdain
Hold your tongue.
DORANTE
If it incommodes you, I will go seek it elsewhere.
MR. JOURDAIN
No, sir.
MRS. JOURDAIN, osidi to Mr. Jourdain
He will net be satisfied till he has ruined you.
MR. JOURDAIN, dside to Mrs. Jourdain
Hold your tongue, I tell you.
DORANTE
If it puts you out, you need only say so.
MR. JOURDAIN
By no means, sir.
MRS. JOURDAIN, asidc to Mr. Jourdain
He 's a regular swindler.
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 69
MR. JOURDAIN, oside to Mrs. Jourdain
Be still, wîU you !
MRS, JOURDAIN, aside to Mr. Jourdain
He *11 drain you to the last penny.
MR. JOURDAIN, aside to Mrs. Jourdain
Will you be stiU ?
DORANTE
There are many people who would gladly lend it
to me, but sînce you are my best frîend, I thought
I should be wronging you if I asked anyone else
for ît.
MR. JOURDAIN
You do me too much honour, sin I wiil go fetch
ît for you.
MRS. JOURDAIN, aside to Mr. Jourdain
What ! You are going to let hîm hâve that too ?
MR. JOURDAIN, c^ide to Mrs. Jourdain
What can I do? Would you bave me refuse a
man of his rank, who spoke of me this mornîng in
the Kîng's bed-chamber ?
MRS. JOURDAIN, aside to Mr. Jourdain
Go to, you are a downright dupe.
SCENE V
Dorante, Mrs. Jourdain, Nicole
DORANTE
You seem quîte pensive. What îs the matter,
Mrs. Jourdain ?
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70 Molière
MRS. JOURDAIN
I Ve a head that 's bigger than a fist, and it 's not
swollen, either.
DORANTE
And where is your daughter, that I hâve n't seen
her?
MRS. JOURDAIN
My daughter is ail right where she is.
DORANTE
How does she get on ?
MRS. JOURDAIN
On her two legs.
DORANTE
Wîll you not some day bring her to see the ballet
and the play that are given at the Kîng's?
MRS. JOURDAIN
Yes, faîth ! We hâve a great fancy for laughing,
a great fancy for laughing hâve we.
DORANTE
I think, Mrs. Jourdain, you must hâve had many
lovers when you were young, being so handsome
and sweet-tempered.
MRS. JOURDAIN
By 'r Lady, sir ! Is Mrs. Jourdain décrépit, and
does her head wag already ?
DORANTE
Oh, 'pon honour, Mrs. Jourdain, I beg your par-
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The Tradesman Tumed Gentleman 71
don I I forgot that you are young now. I am so
often absent-minded. I beg you to excuse my
impertinence.
SCENE VI
Mr. Jourdain, Mrs. Jourdain, Dorante, Nicole
MR. JOURDAIN, to Dorante
Hère are two hundred louis iii good cash.
DORANTE
I assure you, Mr. Jourdain, that I am yours with
ail my heart, and I long to do you some service at
court.
MR. JOURDAIN
I am exceedingly obliged to you.
DORANTE
If Mrs. Jourdain would like to see the royal diver-
sions, I will get her the best seats in the ball-room.
MRS. JOURDAIN
Mrs. Jourdain is your humble servant.
DORANTE, aside to Mr. Jourdain
Oûr faîr Marquise, as I told you in my letter, will
corne hère presently for the ballet and collation ; I
hâve at last persuaded her to accept the treat you
wîsh to gîve her.
MR. JOURDAIN
Let us go a lîttle farther ofî, for good reason.
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72 Molière
DORANTE
'T is a week since I saw you ; and I hâve sent you
no news of the diamond you put in my hands to
give her in your name; that is because I had the
greatest difficulty in overcoming her scruples ; and
it was not till to-day that she could be brought to
accept it.
MR. JOURDAIN
How did she like it ?
DORANTE
Marveilous well ; and unless I am much mistaken,
the beauty of this diamond will do wonders with her
in your favour.
MR. JOURDAIN
Heaven grant it !
MRS. JOURDAIN, to Nicole
Once he is with him» he can never leave him.
DORANTE
I cried up properly to her the richness of your
présent, and the violence of your love.
MR. JOURDAIN
This, sir, is kindness that quite overwhelms me ; I
am in the greatest confusion, to see a person of your
quality lower himself for my sake to such things as
you do.
DORANTE
You dpn't mean it. Does one ever stop at such
scruples, between frîends? Would you not do as
much for me, if the occasion offered ?
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 73
MR. JOURDAIN
Oh, surely, and wîth ail my heart.
MRS. JOURDAIN, to Nicole
How his présence weighs upon me I
DORANTE
For my part, I stick at nothing when a friend is to
be served ; se, as soon as you confided to me the
passion ybu had conceived for this charming Mar-
quise, with whom I was intimate, you saw how I
ofîered at once, and of my own accord, to serve
your love.
MR. JOURDAIN
True. Such kindness fills me with confusion.
MRS. JOURDAIN, tû NicoU
Will he never be gone ?
NICOLE
They seem very thick together.
DORANTE
You hâve gone the rîght way about ît to touch her
heart. Women love above ail things the expense
we are at on their account ; your fréquent sérénades,
your bouquets sent every day, the magnificent dis-
play of fireworks which she found prepared for her
on the water, the diamond she received from you,
and the entertainment you are now arranging for
her, ail speak in favour of your love better thap any
words you could hâve said to her yourself.
MR. JOURDAIN
There is no expense I would not go to, if thereby
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74 Molière
I might find the way to her heart. A woman of
quality has entrancing charms for me ; 't is an honour
I would buy at any cost.
MRS, JOURDAIN, ostde to NkoU
What can they hâve to talk about so much ? Just
go up quietly and listen.
DORANTE
You shall presently enjoy at your ease the plea-
sure of seeing her; and your eyes shall hâve fuU
time to feast themselves.
MR. JOURDAIN
To be fuUy at liberty, I hâve arranged to hâve my
wife go and dine at xny sister's, and spend ail the
afternoon there.
DORANTE
You dîd wîsely, for your wife mîght hâve been in .
the way. I hâve given the necessary orders for you
to the cook, and for everything that îs needful în
the ballet. It îs my own invention, and if the ex-
ecution is adéquate to the conception, I am sure it
will be thought ...
MR. JOURDAIN, seeifig that Nicole is listening^ and
giving her a cuff
Odso! you're mighty impertinent. {To Dorante)
Let us go out, if you please.
SCENE VII
Mrs. Jourdain, Nicols
NICOLE
Faith, ma*am, my curîosity has cost me some-
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The Tradesman Tumed Gentleman 75
thing, but I thînk there 's mîschîef afoot ; they Ve
talking about some affair they don't want you to beat.
MRS. JOURDAIN
This is not the first time, Nicole, that I hâve had
suspicions o£ my husband. Either l 'm much ixiis-
taken, or there *s some love-a£fair in the wînd ; I am
doing my best to discover what it can be. But let's
think of my daughten You know Cléonte's love
for her ; he is a man after my own heart ; and I mean
to favour his suit» and let him hâve Ludle, if I can.
NICOLE
Trothy ma'am» I am mightily charmed to find you
in this way of thinking ; for if the master hits your
f ancy» the man pleases mine no less, and I could wish
our marriage might be made under the shadow of
theirs.
MRS, JOURDAIN
Go and speak to him of ît, from me, and tell hîm
to corne and see me presently, so that we may joîn
in asking my husband for his daughter's hand.
' NICOLE
I fly with joy, ma'am ; I could n't hâve a pleasanter
errand. {Aloné) Methinks I shall make some people
mighty bappy.
SCENE VIII
Clbontb, Coviei-le, NICOI-»
NICOLE, to Cléonte
Ah ! hcre you are in the nîck o' tîme! I am an
ambassadress of joy, and hâve corne to . . .
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CLEONTE
Begone, perfidious girl, and don*t corne wasting
my time wîth treacherous words.
NICOLE
Is that the way you receîve • . •
CLEONTE
Begone, I say ; go thîs instant and tell your false
mistress she shall never more deceîve the too credu-
lous Cléonte.
- NICOLE
What crazy whîm îs thîs ? My dear Covielle, do
tell me what it means.
COVIELLE
Your dear Covîelle, minx ! Go, quick, out of my
sighty hussy, and let me alone.
NICOLE
What ! do you too ... ?
COVIELLE
Out of my sight, I say, and never speak to me
again as long as you live.
NICOLE, aside
Hoity-toîty! what a flea's in both their ears?
I '11 go tell my mistress of thèse fine doings.
SCENE IX
Cleonte, Covîelle
CLEONTE
What! treat a lover in such fashion, and that
lover the most constant and passionate of lovers I
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 77
COVIELLE
T îs a horrîd trîck they hâve served us both,
CLEONTE
I show a young woman ail the ardour and tender-
ness that can be imagined ; I love nothing but her
în ail the world, and think of naught but her ; she
is my only care, my only hope, my only joy; I
speak but of her, I think but of her, I dream but of
her, for her alone I live and breathe ; and such, now,
îs the fit reward of ail my dévotion ! I live without
seeing her for two whole days, that seem to me two
frightful centuries; then fortune lets me meether;
my heart, at the sight, feels ail elated, my joy shines
în my face, I fly to her în ecstasy, and the traitress
turns away her eyes, and passes brusquely by, as if
în ail her lîfe she 'd never seen me !
COVIELLE
I say the same as you.
CLEONTE
Was anything ever known, Covîelle, lîke the per-
fidy of the ungrateful Lucîle ?
COVIELLE
Or likc that, sir, of the jade Nicole?
CLEONTE
After ail the ardent sacrifices, ail the sighs and
vows, that I hâve laid upon the altar of her charms !
COVIELLE
After ail the attentions, ail the cares and services,
that I hâve rendered her în her kîtchen !
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CLEONTE
Ail the tears I hâve poured at her feet !
COVIELLE
AU the buckets of water I hâve drawn for her at
the well !
CLEONTE
Ail the warmth I hâve shown în cherishing her
more than myself !
COVIELLB
AU the heat I hâve borne in tuming the spît in
her stead !
CLEONTE
She avoids me with disdain !
COVIELLE
She turns her back on me with impudence !
CLEONTE
T is perfidy that is worthy of the utmost pun-
ishment.
COVIELLE
T is treason that deserves a thousand cuflfs,
CLEONTE
Pray never thînk of speaking in her favoun
COVIELLE
What, I, sir ? Heaven f orbid !
CLEONTE
Do not, ah ! do not paUiate the conduct of this
traitress.
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 79
COVIELLE
Never fear.
CLEONTE
No, don't you understand, ail you can say în her
defence will be quite useless.
COVIELLE
Who dreams of such a thing ?
CLEONTE
I mean to cherish my resentment, and break off ail
intercourse.
COVIELLE
I grive my consent.
CLEONTE
This same Count who haunts the house bas per-
haps caught her fancy ; I can well see she 's dazzled
by the quality. I must, for my own honour, fore*
stall the triumph of her faithlessness. I am deter-
mined to make as much haste as she toward the
change I find she 's seeking, and not to leave her ail
the crédit of abandoning me.
COVIELLE
'T is bravely spoken, and I share ail your feelings.
CLEONTE
Yes, second my resentment, and support my reso-
lution against whatever lingering love might yet
plead with me for hen Say of her, I entreat you,
ail the îU you can. Draw me a portrait of her that
shall make her despicable to me, and to disgust me
with her insist on ail the defects you can find in her.
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J^ COVIELLE
In her ? Ho ! a fine affected minx, a pretty lîttle
squeamish beauty, to make you so enamoured of
her ! I see in her nothing but what 's most in-
diffèrent ; and you can find a hundred fair ones more
worthy of you. In the first place, she has small eyes.
CLEONTB
'T îs true her eyes are small, but they are fuU of
fire, they are the most sparkling, the most piercing,
the most sympathetîc eyes ever seen.
COVIELLE
Her mouth is large.
CLEONTE
Yes ; but it has a grâce in it net to be found in
other mouths ; the very sight of it rouses désire, 't is
the most winning, the loveliest in the world.
COVIELLE
As for her figure, she 's little.
CLEONTB
Yes ; but she 's graceful and well proportioned.
COVIELLE
She affects a certain indifférence in her speech
and manner.
CLEONTE
True ; but she has such a grâce in it ail, and her
ways are so engaging, with an indescribable charm
that wins its way to people*s hearts.
COVIELLE
As to wit . . .
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman Si
CLEONTE
Ah ! that she has, Covielle, and the subtiest and
most délicate.
COVIELLE
Her conversation . . •
CLEONTE
Her conversation is charming.
COVIELLE
She is always grave.
CLEONTE
Would you hâve boisterous gaiety, and ever-
bubbling merriment ? Is there anything more foolish
than those women that are always giggling?
COVIELLE
But anyhowy she 's as capricious as can be.
CLEONTE
Yes, she 's capricious, that I grant you ; but every-
thing is becoming in a pretty woman ; we bear with
everything from the sex.
COVIELLE
Since that is the way of ît, I see plainly that you
mean to love her still.
CLEONTE
I ? I had rather die ; I shall hâte her as much as
once I loved.
COVIELLE
How can you, if you think her so perfect?
(
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CLEONTE
Thereby shall my vengeance be ail the more signal,
thereby shall I better show the strength of my
resolution, in hating and abandoning her, so fair, so
full of charm, so lovely as she is. Hère she cornes.
SCENE X
LuciLE, Cleonte, Covielle, Nicole
NICOLE, to Lucile
For my part, I was altogether scandalised at it.
LUCILE
It can be nothing else but what I told you, Nicole.
But there he is.
CLEONTE, to Covielle
I will not so much as speak to her.
COVIELLE
I will follow your example.
LUCILE
What is it, Cléonte ? What Ls the matter ?
NICOLE
What ails you, Covielle ?
LUCILE
What anger possesses you ? '
NICOLE
What tantnim bas seized you now?
LUCILE
Are you dumb, Cléonte?
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman
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NICOLE
Have you lost your tongue, Covîelle ?
CLEONTE
How abandoned !
COVIELLE
What a Judas !
LUCILE
I see plainly that our meeting thîs mornîng has
displeased you.
CLEONTE, to Cavielle
Oh ! oh ! She sees what she has done.
NICOLE
Our réception thîs mornîng has put you în a hufif.
COVIELLE, to Cléonte
They Ve guessed where the shoe pinches.
LUCILE
Is 't not so, Cléonte ? Is not that the reason of
your vexation ?
CLEONTE
Yes, traîtress, that it is, since I must speak ; and I
can tell you that you shall not triumph, as you think,
în your faîthlessness ; for I shall be beforehand in
breaking with you, and you shall not have the crédit
of discarding me. I shall find it hard, no doubt, to
overcome my love for you ; ît will gîve me pain, I
shall suffer for a whîle ; but I shall compass it, and
wîU rather thrust a dagger through my beart than be
so weak as to corne back to you.
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COVIELLE, to Nicole
As he, so me.
LUCILE
Hère 's much ado about nothing. I '11 tell you,
Cléonte, what made me avoid you this morning.
CLEONTE, starting away to avoid Lucile
No, I won't lîsten to anythîng.
NICOLE, to Covielle
I '11 let you know the cause of our passing you by
so quickly.
COVIELLE, starting away to avoid Nicole
I won't hear a word.
. LUCILE, following Cléonte
Thîs mornîng, you see . . .
CLEONTE, walking about without heeding Lucile
No, I say.
NICOLE, following Covielle
Let me tell you . . .
COVIELLE, walking about without heeding Nicole
No, you jîlt !
LUCILE
Listen.
CLEONTE
No use.
NICOLE
Hark to me.
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COVIELLE
l 'm deaf.
Cléonte !
No.
Covielle !
Never.
Waît.
Nonsense.
Hear me.
Stuff.
Just for a moment
Kot for anythîng.
Waît a bit.
Fîddlcstîcks.
Just a Word or two.
LUCILE
CLEONTE
NICOLE
COVIELLE
LUCILE
CLEONTE
NICOLE
COVIELLE
LUCILE
CLEONTE
NICOLE
COVIELLB
LUCILE
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CLEONTB
Na Ail îs over between us.
r NICOLE
Just one word.
COVIELLE
l 'U hâve no more to do with you.
LUCILE, stopping
Well ! since you won't listen to me» go on and do
as you please.^
NICOLE, stopping also
Since that *s the way with you, take it as you will.
CLEONTE, turning taward Lucile
Well then, let us hear the reason of our fine ré-
ception.
LUCILE, turning away to avoid Cléonte
I don't care, now, to tell you.
COVIELLE, turning toward Nicole
Tell us about the business, then.
NICOLE, walkingaway to avoid Covielle
I don't choose to, not I.
CLEOi^rT'Ej foUowing Lucile
Tell me . • .
LUCILE, stiïl walking away without heeding Cléonte
No, I won't tell you ans^hing.
COVIELLE^ follozving Nicole
Let us hear the story.
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 87
NICOLE, still walking away without heeding Covielle
No, you *11 hear no story f rom me.
CLEONTE
I beg you !
No, I say.
For pîty's sake.
No use.
I beseech you.
Let me be.
I entreat you.
Away wîth you.'
Ludle !
No.
Nicole 1
Nevcr.
LUCILB
COVIELLE
NICOLE
CLEONTE
LUCILE
COVIELLE
NICOLE
CLEONTE
LUCILB
COVIELLE
NICOLE
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CLEONTB
In Heaven's name !
LUCILB
I wîll not.
COVIELLB
Speak to me.
OTCOLB
Net for anything.
CLEONTB
Clear up my doubts.
LUCILE
No, I wîll do nothîng of the sort.
COVIELLE
Cure my pain.
NICOLE
No, I don't care to.
€LEONTE
Well ! sînce you are so lîttle concerned to ease me
of my suffering and justîfy yourself for the un-
worthy manner în which you hâve treated my love,
this is the last time, ungrateful girl, that you shall
ever see me; I shall go far away from you, to die of
grief and love.
COVIELLE, to Nicole
And I shall foUow in his footsteps.
LUCILE9 to Clionte ashe is going
Cléonte I
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NICOLE, /û Cavielle^ as he is going-
Covîelle !
CLEONTE, StOpping
Eh?
COVIELLE, StOpping too
What say ?
LUCILB
Where are you goîng ?
CLEONTB
Where I told you.
COVIELLE
We arc going to die.
LUCILB
You are going to die, Cléonte ?
CLÈONTE
Yes, cruel one, since you will hâve it so.
LUCILB
I ! I will hâve you die ?
CLEONTB
Yes, you will it.
LUCILB
Who tells you that ?
CLEONTB, going nearer to Lucile
Do you not will it, when you refuse to clear up
tay suspicions ?
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LUCILE
Is that my fault? If you had been willing to
listen to me» should I not hâve told you that the
affair you resent was caused by the présence thîs
morning of an old aunt» who insists that the mère
approach of a man dishonours a girl, and is forever
preaching at us on this text» and representing ail
men as so many devils that we must flee from ?
NICOLE, tû CovielU
That is the whole secret.
CLEONTB
Are you not deceiving me, Lucile?
COVIELLE, to Nicole
Are n't you putting a trick on me ?
LUCILE, to Cléonte
Nothing could be truer.
NICOLE, to CovielU
That is just how it is.
COVIELLE, to Cléonte
Shall we give in to this?
CLEONTE
Ah ! Lucile, how you can with one word brîng
back peace to my heart ; how easily we let ourselves
be persuaded by those we love.
COVIELLE
How easily we are wheedled by thèse little devils.
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 91
SCENE XI
Mrs. Jourdain, Cleonte, Lucile, Covislle, Nicole
MRS. JOURDAIN
I am very glad to see you, Cléonte ; you are hère
in the nick of time. My husband is coming; seize
this chance to ask him for Lucile.
CLEONTE
Ah ! madam, how dear are your words, how they
flatter my désires! Could I receive a command
more charming, a favour more precious?
SCENE XII
Cleonte, Mr. Jourdain, Mrs. Jourdain, Lucile,
CoviELLE, Nicole
CLEONTE
Sir, I would let no one speak for me, to make of
you a request that I hâve long had in my thoughts.
It concerns me so closely that I must do it myself,
and without further circumlocution I will înform you
that the honour of being your son-in-law îs a proud
favour which I beg you to grant me.
MR. JOURDAIN
Before giving you your answer, sir, I beg you to
tell me whether you are a gentleman.
CLEONTE
Sir, on this point most people would not hesîtate
long; the Word îs easily spoken. People bave no
scruple about assuming the title, and common cus-
tom nowadays seems to authorise the theft. But I
must own that I feel somewhat more delîcately upon
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thîs subject. I think any imposture is univorthy of
a true man, and there is a baseness in disguising that
birth which Heaven chose for us, in trîckîng oneself
out before the world in a stolen tîtle, and tiying to
pass for what one is not. My forbears did indeed
hold honourable employments ; I hâve won for
myself the honour of six yeàrs' service under arms ;
and I am rich enough to keep up a faîr rank in
Society; but for ail that I do not choose to give
myself a name whîch others in my place mîght think
they could lay claim to, and I will tell you frankly
that I am not of gentle birth.
MR. JOURDAIN
Your hand on it, sir; my daughter is not for you.
CLEONTE
What?
MR. JOURDAIN
You are not a gentleman bom, you shall not hâve
my daughter.
MRS. JOURDAIN
What d* ye mean with your gentleman bom ? Are
we of the rib of St. Louis ourselves ?
MR. JOURDAIN
Hold your tongue, wife; I see what you*re
coming at.
MRS. JOURDAIN
Did either of us come of any but honest tradesmen ?
MR. JOURDAIN
Just listen to her, will you !
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 93
MRS. JOURDAIN
And was n't your father a shopkeeper as well as
mine ?
MR. JOURDAIN
Plague take the woman 1 she always does ît. If
your father was a shopkeeper, so much the worse for
hîm ; but as for mine, they 're malaperts who say so.
Ail I hâve to say to y ou» is that I mean to hâve a
gentleman for son-in-law.
MRS. JOURDAIN
Your daughter should hâve a husband that îs a
proper match for her; and she 'd be better off wîth
a good honest fellow» rich and handsome, than with
a beggarly broken-down nobleman.
NICOLE
That 's so ; there *s the Squîre*s son în our village,
who 's the greatest lout and the silliest noodle I ever
set eyes on.
MR. JOURDAIN, to Nicole
Hold your prate, Mistress Impertinence. You 're
always thrusting yourself into the conversation. I
hâve riches enough for my daughter ; ail I need is
honours, so I shall make her a marquise.
MRS. JOURDAIN
A marquise ?
MR. JOURDAIN
Yes, a marquise.
MRS. JOURDAIN
Ah ! Heaven save us from that !
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MR. JOURDAIN
'T is a thing I am resolved on.
MRS. JOURDAIN
*T is a thing to whîch I shall never consent. Your
marriages with people above you are always subject
to wretched vexations. I don't want my daughter
to hâve a husband that can reproach her -with her
parents, and children that will be ashamed to call
me grandma. If she should corne to call on me in
her fine lady's équipage, and fail'by chance to bow to
any of the neighbours, they would be sure to say a
hundred ill-natured things. "D'ye see/' they 'd
say, "this marquise that gives herself such airs?
She 's the daughter of Mr. Jourdain, and she was
only too happy, when s|ie was little, to play at My
Lady with us. She has n't always been so hîgh and
mighty as ail that, and her grandfathers were both
drapers beside St. Innocentas Gâte. They pîled up a
good fortune for their children, which they *re pay-
ing mighty dear for now, may be, in another world ;
riches like that are n't got by honest practîces." I
don't want ail this cackle, and, în a word, I want a
man who shall be beholden to me for nny daughter,
and to whom I can say : ** Sit down there, son-în-law,
and hâve dinner with me."
MR. JOURDAIN
Those are the sentiments of a petty soûl, wîUîng
to stay forever in a mean station. Don't talk baclc
to me any more. My daughter shall be a marquise,
in spite of ail the world, and if you provoke me I *11
make her a duchess.
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SCENE XIII
Mrs. Jourdain, Lucile, Cleonte, Nicole, Covielle
MRS. JOURDAIN
Cléonte, don't lose heart y et. (71? Lucile) FoIIow
me, daughter ; corne and tell your father boldly that
if you cannot hâve hîm, you won't many anybody,
SCENE XIV
Cleonte, Covielle
COVIELLE
You Ve made fine work of ît, with your lofty
sentiments.
CLEONTE
What can I do ? I hâve scruples in this matter \
which the example of others cannot overcome.
COVIELLE
What nonsense, to take things serîously with
such a man ! Don't you see he is ofiF his head?
Would ît hâve cost you anything to hâve accom-
modated yourself to his chimeras ?
CLEONTE
You are rîght ; but I did n't suppose one had to
brîng his proofs of nobîUty în order to become Mr.
Jourdain 's son-in-law.
COVIELLE, laughing
Ha ! ha ! ha !
cleonte
What are you laughing at ?
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COVIELLE
At an îdea that has corne înto my head, to trick
the fellow, and get you what you want.
CLEONTB
How?
COVIELLE
The îdea îs altogether comical.
CLEONTE
But what îs ît ?
COVIELLE
There was a certain masquerade performed not
long ago, whîch fits in hère excellently, and whîch I
mean to work înto a burlesque that I '11 play upon
our coxcomb. The thing borders on farce ; but wîth
hîm, we can venture anything ; we need n't be too
particular, for he îs a man to play hts rôle în ît to a
marvel, and swallow greedily ail the absurdities we
take ît înto our heads to tell hîm. I hâve the actors
and costumes ail ready ; just let me alone for ît.
CLEONTE
But tell me . . .
COVIELLE
I wîll let you know ail about ît. But let 's get
away ; hère he îs, comîng back.
SCENE XV
MR. JOURDAIN, alofie
What the devîl does ît mean ? They are always
tauntîng me wîth my great lords, and I thînk nothîng
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman
97
îs so fine as keepîng company wîth great lords ; there s
nothîng but honour and cîvîlity among 'em, and I ^d
gladly give two fingers ofif my hand, to hâve been
born a count or a marquis.
SCENE XVI
Mr. Jourdain, Lackey
LACKEY
Sir, hère îs the Count, and a lady he 's handing în.
MR. JOURDAIN
Eh ! bless me ! I hâve some orders to give. Tell
them I shall be hère presently.
SCENE XVII
DoRiMENE, Dorante, Lackey
LACKEY
Master says as how he '11 be hère presently.
DORANTE
Very well.
SCENE XVIII
DoRiMENE, Dorante
DORIMENE
I don't know. Dorante ; I am taking stîU another
strange step în lettîng you brîng me to a house
where I hâve no acquaintance.
DORANTE
What place then, madam, would you hâve my
love choose to entertaîn you în, sînce to avoid
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scandai you will not hâve it be either your house or
mine?
DORIMENE
But you forget to say that I am letting myself be
drawn on day by day, by receîvîng too great tokens
of your love. In vaîn do I refuse things, you weary
out my résistance, and you hâve a courteous obstinacy
that gently brings me to do everythîng you wish. It
began with fréquent visits, déclarations came next,
and after them sérénades and entertainments» fol-
lowed now by présents. I hâve resisted ît ail ; but
you will not be discouraged, and step by step you get
the better of my résolves. I can answer for nothing
now, and think that in the end you will bring tne to
matrimony, which was so far from my thoughts.
DORANTE
Faith, madam, you ought to hâve been brought
to it already. You are a widow, and dépendent on
no one but yourself ; I am my own master, and love
you more than life ; what stands in the way of your
making me completely happy to-day ?
DORIMENE
Dear me ! Dorante, there must be many good
qualities on both sides for two people to live happily
together; and the two most reasonable people in
the world often find it hard to make a satisfactory
match.
DORANTE
You are in the wrong, madam, to imagine so many
difficulties ; the experîment you hâve made does not
prove ansrthing for other cases.
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 99
DORIMENE
At any rate» I corne back to this one point : the
expense you go to for me disturbs me for two
reasons: first, because it commits me more than I
could wish ; and second, because I am sure, if you
wîll allow me to say it, that you cannot do this
without incommoding yourself; and that I would
not hâve.
DORANTE
Ah ! madam, thèse things are trifles ; 't is not in
that way . . .
DORIMENE
I know what I am saying ; and, for instance, the
diamond which you hâve forced me to accept, is of
such value . . •
DORANTE
Eh ! madam, I beg you, do not make so much of
a thing which my love deems unworthy of you, and
allow me . . . But hère îs the master of the house.
SCENE XIX
Mr. Jourdain, Dorimene, Dorante
MR. JOURDAIN, after having tnade two bows, finding
himself too near Dorimtne
A little farther off, madam.
DORIMENB
What?
MR. JOURDAIN
Just a step, îf you please.
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DORIMENE
What do you mean?
MR. JOURDAIN
Fall back a lîttle, for the third one.
DORANTE
Madam, Mr. Jourdain knows his manners.
MR. JOURDAIN
Madam, it is a great pride for me to see myself
fortunate enough to be so happy as to hâve the
felicity that you should hâve had the kindness to
grant me the grâce of doing me the honour of hon-
ouring me with the favour of your présence ; and îf
I had but the worth to be worthy of such worth as
yours, and if Heaven • • • envions of my happiness
. • • had granted me • • • the advantage of finding
myself worthy • • . of the . • .
DORANTE
That will do, Mr. Jourdain. Madam does not
care for great compliments, and knows that you *re a
man of wit. {Aside to Dorimène) He is a worthy
citizen, ridiculous enough, as you see, in ail his
behaviour.
DORIMENE, ixside to Dorante
T is not hard to see that.
DORANTE
Madam, this is my best friend.
MR. JOURDAIN
T is too much honour you do me
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DORANTE
A gallant man, every înch of hîm.
DORIMENE
I hâve a very great esteem for hîm.
MR. JOURDAIN
I have done nothing as yet, madam, to deserve
this favour.
DORANTE, aside to Mr. Jourdain
Be sure you take good care not to speak to her of
the diamond you gave her.
MR. JOURDAIN, (zside to Dorante
Could n't I just ask her how she likes it?
DORANTE, aside to Mr. Jourdain
What! On no account. It would be vulgar in
you ; to behave gallantly you must act as if it
were not you that had given her thîs présent. {Aloud)
Mr. Jourdain, madam, says he is enraptured to see
you at his house.
DORIMENE
He honours me greatly.
MR. JOURDAIN, aside to Dorante
How obliged I am to you, sir, for speaking thus
on my account !
DORANTE, aside to Mr. Jourdain
I have had the greatest diflBculty in getting her to
corne hère.
MR. JOURDAIN, aside to Dorante
How can I ever thank you enough ?
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DORANTE
Madam, he says he thinks you the most beautif ul
woman in the world.
DORIMENE
T is too much favour he does me.
MR. JOURDAIN
Madam, 't is you that do ail the favours; and . • .
DORANTE
Let us think of the dinner.
SCENE XX
Mr. Jourdain, Dorimene^ Dorante, Lackey
LACKEY, to Mr. Jourdain
Everything is ready, sir.
DORANTE
Let us go and sit down, then, and send for the
musicians.
SCENE XXI
BALLET
The six cooks who prepared the feast dance together,
making the third interlude ; after which they bring in a
table covered with various dishes.
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ACT IV
SCENE I
Dorants, Dorimene, ^Ir. Jourdain ; Three Singsrs,
one woman and two bfen ; l.acksy
DORIMENE
Why» Dorante, this is altogether a magnificent
feast.
MR. JOURDAIN
You are pleased to say so ; but I could wish it
were more worthy of your acceptance. (Ail sit down
at table.)
DORANTE
Mr. Jourdain is right, madam» to speak as he does ;
and I am grateful to him for doing the honours of
hîs house so welL I agrée wîth hini that the repast
is not worthy of you. Since I ordered ît, and since
I am not so clever în thèse matters as some of our
friends, you hâve not hère a very learned feast, and
wiil find în ît some încongruitîes of good cheer, some
barbarisms of taste. If our friand Damis had had a
hand in it, everythîng would be accordîng tp the
rules; there would be élégance and érudition at
every point, and he would not faîl to cry up beyond
measure, himself, ail the features of the treat he was
gîvirig you, and compel you to admit hîs hîgh
capacity in the science of good eating; he would
103
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104 Molière
tell you of a fancy loaf baked by itself, wîth golden
kissing crust ail the way round that cninches softly
between your teeth ; of a wîne wîth a velvety body,
relîeved by a tang that *s not too strong ; of a shoul-
der of mutton garnîshed wîth parsley ; of a loin of
Normandy meadow-veal, as long as this, white, déli-
cate» and like real almond paste between your teeth;
of partridges set off with a sauce of wondrous flavour;
and, for his masterpiece, of a pearl broth, reinforced
by a plump young turkey with little pigeons at the
four corners, and a garnish of white onions blended
wîth chîcory. But as for me, I must own my ignor-
ance ; and, as Mr. Jourdain very well saîd, I could
wish the feast were more worthy of your accept-
ance.
DORIMENE
My only answer to this compliment is to eat as I
am doing.
MR. JOURDAIN
Ah ! what beautif ul hands you hâve !
DORIMENE
The hands are nothing to boast of, Mr. Jourdain;
you must mean the diamond, which îs very hand-
some.
MR. JOURDAIN
I, madam ? Heaven forbid that I should speak of
it ! That would not be well bred ; and the diamond
îs a very trifle.
DORIMENE
You are mîghty hard to please.
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 105
MR. JOURDAIN
You are only too kind . . .
DORANTE, making- signs to Mr. Jourdain
Corne, give some wîne to Mr. Jourdain, and to the
musicians, who will do us the favour of singing a
drinking song.
DORIMENE
You add a wondrous relish to good cheer by
mingling music with it, and I find myself royally
entertained hère.
MR. JOURDAIN
Madam, 't is not • . •
DORANTE
Mr. Jourdain, let us be silent and listen to our
musicians ; what they wîU let us hear will be much
better than ail you and I could say. ( The singer s^
taking glasseSy sing two drinking songSy accompanied
by full orchestra.)
FIRST DRINKING SONG
Phillis, a thimbleful, and be not loth ;
In your fair hands a glass has wondrous charms !
You and the wine, you lend each othèr arms ;
I feel my love redoubled for you both.
To wîne, and to each other, O my faîr,
Eternal love we *11 swear !
The wîne wîns added gfraces from your lîps,
Yet leaves your lîps more lovely than before!
Each makes me long to taste the other more,
From both my heart intoxication sips.
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To wîne, and to each other, O my faîr,
Eternal love we '11 swear !
SECOND DRINKING SONG
Corne drinky corne drink, dear friends !
Time steals our life away ;
Let 's use ît whîle we may.
For soon it ends.
Once past the Stygîan shore,
Farewell good wine and love.
Drink now, for then *t wîU prove
We '11 drink no more.
Leave fools theîr reasonings fine
On lîfe's felicity ;
We '11 seek philosophy
In pots of wine.
Ail else is powerless
To drive duU care away;
In drinking well each day»
Lies happiness.
THE THREE SINGERS TOGETHER
Quicky quick, the wine, boys, pour to everyone !
Pour, pour again, until we say : " Hâve done ! "
DORIMENE
I think 't is impossible to sing better ; that is
altogether beautiful.
MR. JOURDAIN
Ah ! madam, I see hère something more beautiful
stîll.
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 107
DORIMENE
Indeed ! Mr. Jourdain îs more of a courtier than
I thought.
DORANTE
Why, madam! what do you take Mr. Jourdain
for?
MR. JOURDAIN
I wish she would take me for whatever I *d name.
DORIMENE
Agâin?
DORANTE, to Dorimène
You don*t know hîm yet.
MR. JOURDAIN
She shall know me whenevef she wilL
DORIMENE
Oh II gîve up.
DORANTE
He 's always ready wîth hîs repartee. But you
haven't noticed, madam» that Mr. Jourdain eats ail
the pièces you hâve touched.
DORIMENE
Mr. Jourdain is a man who charms me.
MR. JOURDAIN
If I could charm your heart, I should be . . .
SCENE II
Mrs. Jourdain, Mr. Jourdain, Dorimbne, Dorante,
MUSICIANS, Lackby
MRS. JOURDAIN
Oh ! oh ! I find good company hère, and I see
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io8 Molière
plainly that I was n't expected. So 't was for this
pretty business, Mr. Husband, that you were so
eager to pack me off to sister's ? I hâve just seen a
stage downstairs, and hère I find a banquet fit for
a wedding. That's the way you spend your sub-
stance; and that 's how you feast the ladies in my
absence, and give them a concert and a play while
you send me trotting.
DORANTE
What do you mean, Mrs. Jourdain? And what
sort of fancy hâve you taken înto your head, to
think that your husband is spending his substance,
and that 't îs he who is giving this entertainment to
the lady. Understand, please, that *t îs I ; that he
has merely lent me his house ; and that you ought to
be a little more careful what you say^
MR. JOURDAIN
Yes, foolish woman, 't is the Count who offers this
treat to the lady, and she is a person of quality.
He does me the honour to make use of my house,
and is pleased to let me be with him.
MRS. JOURDAIN
That 's ail stuff and nonsense. I know what I
know.
DORANTE
Wear better spectacles, Mrs. Jourdain, wear bette r
spectacles.
MRS. JOURDAIN
I Ve no use for any kînd of spectacles, sir, I can
see plainly enough. I Ve had a smell of this for a
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The Tradesman Tumed Gentleman 109
long tîme, and I tell you I am no fool. It îs shame-
fui of you, great lord as you are, to lend a helping
hand to my husband's follies. And for a gfreat lady
lîke you, madam, 't îs neither handsome nor honest
to bring dissension into a family, and to let tny
husband make love to you.
DORIMENE
What does ail this mean ? Indeed, Dorante, you
are wrong to expose me to the preposterous fancies
of this strange woman.
DORANTE, following Dorimène as she goes out
Madam, oh madam ! where are you going?
MR. JOURDAIN
Madam . . . My Lord, make my apologies to her,
and try to bring her back.
SCENE III
Mrs. Jourdain, Mr. Jourdain, Lackey
MR. JOURDAIN
Ah! plague that you are, hère 's more of your
fine doings ! You come and affront me before
everybody, and drive people of quality out o£ my
house.
MRS. JOURDAIN
I don*t care a fig for their quality,
MR. JOURDAIN
I don't know what restrains me, confound you,
from splitting your skull wîth what is left of the
feast that you Ve come and disturbed. {The table is
earriedûj^.)
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iio Molière
MRS. JOURDAIN, going
I snap my fingers at you. T îs my rîghts l 'm
defending, and I shall bave ail the women on my
side.
MR, JOURDAIN
You 're doing well to get out of the way of my
(ury,
SCENE IV
MR. JOURDAIN
She came in at a most unlucky moment. I was in
the humour to say fine things; and I never felt
so f uU of wît before. What hâve we hère ?
SCENE V
Mr. Jourdain ; Covielle, in disguise
COVIELLE
Sîr, I am not sure whether I hâve the honour to
be known to you.
MR. JOURDAIN
No, sîr.
COVIELLE, holding out his hand about a foot front the
ground
I saw you when you were no bigger than that.
MR. JOURDAIN
Me?
COVIELLE
Yes. You were the prettîest chîld in the world,
and ail the ladies used to take you in their aritis
to kiss you.
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman m
MR. JOURDAIN
To kîss me ?
COVIELLE
Yes. I was a great friend of your late father.
MR. JOURDAIN
Of my late father ?
COVIELLE
Yes. He was a very worthy gentleman.
MR. JOURDAIN
What do y ou say ?
COVIELLE
I say he was a very worthy gentleman.
MR. JOURDAIN
My father ?
COVIELLE
Yes.
MR. JOURDAIN
You knew hîm well ?
COVIELLE
Indeed I did.
MR. JOURDAIN
And you knew hîm for a gentleman ?
COVIELLE
Beyond doubt.
MR. JOURDAIN
Then I don't know what to make of the world.
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112 Molière
COVIELLE
Why?
MR. JOURDAIN
There are sQly people who insist on telling me
that he was a shopkeepen
COVIELLE
He, a shopkeeper ! It is pure slander ; he never
was. Ail he did was this : he used to be very
obliging, very polite» and since he was a connoisseur
in cloth, he used to go about choosing it ever)nvhere,
and had it brought to his house» and gave it to his
friends, for money.
MR. JOURDAIN
I am charmed to know you, and to hâve you bear
witness that my father was a gentleman.
COVIELLE
I will maintain it to ail corners.
MR. JOURDAIN
I shall be obliged to you. What business brings
you hère ?
COVIELLE
Since my acquaintance wîth the worthy gentle-
man, your late father, which I told you of, I hâve
travelled round the whole world.
MR. JOURDAIN
The whole world ?
COVIELLE
Yes.
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 113
MR. JOURDAIN
It must be a long way to that countiy.
COVIELLB
Indeed ît îs. I came back from my far travels
only four days ago ; and on account of the înterest
I take in ail that concerns you, I hâve corne to bring
you the best pièce of news in the world.
MR. JOURDAIN
What news?
COVIELLE
You know the son of the Grand Turk îs hère?
MR. JOURDAIN
I? No.
COVIELLE
What ! He bas an absolutely magnificent retînue ;
people are ail flocking to see him, and he has been
received hère as a very great lord.
MR. JOURDAIN
On my word, I did n*t know it.
COVIELLE
The point of advantage for you în ail this, îs that
he 's in love wîth your daughter.
MR. JOUIIDAIN
The son of the Grand Turk ?
COVIELLE
Yes ; and he wants to be your son-in-law.
MR. JOURDAIN
My son-în-law, the son of the Grand Turk?
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114 Molière
COVIELLE
The spn of the Grand Turk, your son-în-law. I
went at once to see him, and since I understand his
language perfectly, he conversed at length with me ;
and af ter some other talk, he said : Acciant croc soler
ouch allah moustaph gidelum amanahem varahini ous-
sere carbulath ? which is to say : Hâve y ou seen a
handsome young lady, the daughter of Mr. Jour-
dain, a gentleman of Paris ?
MR. JOURDAIN
The son of the Grand Turk said that of me ?
COVIELLB
Yes. When I told him I knew you especially
well, and that I had seen your daughter : Ah ! said
he, marababa sahem ! which is to say : Ah ! how
deeply am I enamoured of her !
MR. JOURDAIN
Marababa sahem means, Ah ! how deeply am I
enamoured of her ?
COVIELLB
Yes.
MR. JOURDAIN
Marry, you do well to tell me so ; for I never
would hâve thought that marababa sahem could
mean. Ah ! how deeply am I enamoured of her !
'T is an admirable language, this Turkish.
COVIELLB
More than you hâve any îdea of. Do you know
what cacaracamouchen means?
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 115
MR. JOURDAIN
Cacaracatnouchen ? No.
COVIEI-LE
It means : My dear soûl.
MR. JOURDAIN
CMaracamouchen means, My dear seul?
COVIELLE
Yes.
MR. JOURDAIN
That is something marvellous. Cacaracamoticken^
My dear soûl. Who would hâve thought it? It
quite astounds.me.
COVIELLE
In short, to complète my embassy, he îs coming
to ask you for your daughter in marriage ; and that
hîs father-în-law may be worthy of hîm, he means to
make you matnamouchiy which is a certain dignity in
his country.
MR. JOURDAIN
Mamamouchi f
COVIELLE
Yes. Mamamouchi^ which means, in our language,
paladin. Paladin, that is, one of those ancient . . .
în short, a paladin. There is nothîng more noble on
earth, and you wîll rank equal with the greatest
lords in the world.
f
MR. JOURDAIN
The son of the Grand Turk does me great honour;
I b^ you to take me to hîm, to pay hîm my thanks.
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ii6 Molière
COVIELLE
What ! he is just coming hère.
MR. JOURDAIN
He is coming hère?
COVIELLE
Yes; and he is bringing everything needful for
your installation.
MR. JOURDAIN
That is doing things mighty sudden.
COVIELLE
His love can enduré no delay.
MR. JOURDAIN
What troubles nie is, that my daughter is an ob-
stinate wench, and has taken a fancy to a certain
Cléonte, and swears she *11 never marry any one else.
COVIELLE
She will change her mind when she sees the son of
the Grand Turk ; besides, the sing^lar thîng about it
is, that the son of the Grand Turk looks like this
Cléonte, or very nearly so. I hâve just seen him, he
was pointed out to me. The love she bears to the
one may easily pass to the other» and • . • But I
hear him coming ; hère he is.
SCENE VI
Cleonte, disguisedds a TurkjTuKKE 'Pxo^s^bearitig his
long tunic; Mr. Jourdain, Covielle
CLEONTE
Ambousahitn oqui boraf^ Giourdina salamalequi !
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman
"7
COVIELLE, to Mr. Jourdain
Whîch îs to say : Mr. Jourdain, may your heart
be ail the year round like a rose-tree in bloom.
Thèse are polite forms of expression in hîs countiy.
MR. JOURDAIN
I am hîs Turkîsh Highness's most humble servant.
COVIELLE
Carigar camboto oustin ntoraf.
CLEONTE
Oustin y oc catamalequi basum base alla maran !
COVIELLE
He says : May Heaven give you the strength of
lions and the cunning of serpents.
MR. JOURDAIN
Hîs Turkîsh Hîghness honours me too much, and
I wish him ail manner of prosperity.
COVIELLE
Ossa binamen sadoc babally oracaf ouram.
CLEONTE
Bel'-nten.
COVIELLE
He says you must go wîth hîm at once to get
ready for the ceremony, so that he may then see
your daughter and conclude the marrîage.
MR. JOURDAIN
Ail that în two words ?
COVIELLE
That îs the way wîth the Turkîsh tongue ; ît says
much în few words. Go wîth hîm at once.
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ii8 Molière
SCENE VII
COVIELLE, Uzughing
Hoi hoi hoi Faith, 'tis altogether comical.
What a dupe ! If he had leamt his rôle by heart,
he could not play it better. Ha ! ha !
SCENE VIII
DORANTEy COVIELLB
COVIELLE
I beg you, sir, to be good enough to help us hère
with the matter we hâve in hand.
DORANTE
Ah ! ah ! Covîelle, Who would hâve known you ?
What a get-up !
COVIELLE
As you see. Ha! ha !
DORANTE
What are you laughîng at ?
COVIELLE
At a thing which well deserves it, sir.
DORANTE
Howso?
COVIELLB
I *d give you as many guesses as you please, sir,
to hit on the stratagem we are usîng with Mr.
Jourdain, to induce him to give my master his
daughten
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 119
DORANTE
I can*t guess the stratagem ; but I do guess that
ît won*t fail o£ îts efifect, sînce you hâve ît in hand.
COVIELLE
l 'm aware, sîr, that you know our covey.
DORANTE
Tell me ail about ît.
COVIELLE
Step aside a little, to make room for what I see
coming. You can see part of the business, while I
tell you the rest.
Thé Turkish Ceremony * for ennobling Mr. Jourdain
is performed with dancing and music, and makes the
fourth interlude. A Mufti, four Dervishes, six Turkish
dancersy six Turkish musicians, and other performers on
instruments of Turkish style, are the actors in it.
The Mufti, together with the twelve Turks and the
four Dervishes, invokes Mohammed, after which Mr.
Jourdain is brought in, dressed in Turkish style, but
without turban or sword ; and they sing to him as
f oUows :
THE MUFTI
SeHsabir,^
Ti respondir s
Se non sabir y
Tazir^ tazir.
' For tfae description of the * * Turkish Ceremony/* I havc followed
the text of the Grands Écrivains édition, which is taken directly
from the original édition, and is somewhat bricfer than that of
Moland and most modem editors,
• Up to this point, the snpposcd Turkish is eithcr of Molière's iû-
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120 Molière
Mi Star Mufti;
Ti qui star tif
Non intendir;
Tazir, tazir.
In the same language the Mufti asks the Turks what
Mr. Jourdain's religion is, and they assure him that he is
a Mohammedan. The Mufti invokes Mohammed in the
Frankish tongue, singing as foUows:
THE MUFTI
Mahatnetta per Giourdina
Mipregar sera e tnattina:
Voler far un Paladina
De Giourdina^ de Giourdina.
Dar turbantay e dar scarcina^
Congalera e brigantina^
Per deffender PalesHna.
Mahatnetta^ etc.
The Mufti asks the Turks if Mr. Jourdain will be
faithful in the Mohammedan religion, and sings as
f ollows :
vention, or borrowed from a somewhat similar scène in a play by
Rotrou ; and not more than half a dozen syllables of it are of any
known speech. From hère on, however, Molière uses the lingo
sometimes known as Frankish, which is the lang^uage of traders of
ail nations along the shores of the Mediterranean, especially in the
Levant and on the northem coast of Africa, and which is made up of
éléments from the Turkish, Arabie, Maltese, French, Italian, Span-
ish, and Portuguese. This stanza means : ** If you know, answer ;
if you do not know, be still. I am Mufti ; who are you ? You do
not understand ; be stiU, be still."
* ** I pray to Mohammed night and moming for Jourdain ; I will
make a paladin of Jourdain. Give the turban, give the turban» glvc
the sword, with a galley and brigantine, to défend Palestine."
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman wi
THE MUFTI
Star bon Turca Giaurdina f
THE TURKS
THE MUFTI, dancing and singing
Hou la ba^ ba la chou^ ba la ba^ ba la da.
The Turks answer with the same Une. The W^iftî
proposes to give Mr. Jourdain the turban, and singsvas
foUows:
THE MUFTI
Ti non star fur ba t
THE TURKS
No^ noy no*
THE MUFTI
Non star furfanta f
THE TURKS
No^ no^ no.
THE MUFTI
JDonar turbanta^ donar turbanta*^
The Turks repeat ail thîs, while giving the turban to
Mr. Jourdain. The Mufti and the Dervishes put on
cérémonial turbans, and the Koran is presented to the
Mufti, who o£fers a second invocation, in concert with ail
the other Turks. After bis invocation, he gives Mr.
Jourdain the sword, and sings as foUows :
» •* Is Jourdain a good Turk? "— ** Yes, by Allah."
• " You are not a cheat ?"— *• No, no, no."—** Va^ are no impos-
ter?'*— "No, no, no."— •• Give the turban, give the turban."
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123 Molière
THE MUFTI
7ï star noHk^ e non star f^ibbola.
PigUar schiàbbola.
The Turks repeat the same Unes, ail with sword in
hand, and six of them dance round Mr. Jourdain, pre-
tending to give him many blows with the flat of their
swords.
The Mufti orders the Turks to cudgel Mr. Jourdain^
singing as follows:
THE MUFTI
Dara^ dara^
Bastonnara^ bastonnara,
The Turks repeat the same lines, meanwhile giving
him a cudgelling in time with the music.
The Mufti, having had him cudgelled, sings to him :
THE MUFTI
Non tener honta :
Questa star fultima affrontai
The Turks repeat the same Unes.
The Mufti offers still another invocation, and then
withdraws, with ail the Turks, dancing and singing,
accompanied by several instruments in the Turkish style.
* •* You are noble, 't is no fable. Take the sword/* — ** Give, give,
a cudgelling, a cudgelling.*'-»** Be not ashamed ; tHis is the last
affront**
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ACT V
SCENE I
Mrs. JouRi^AiNy Mr. Jourdain
MRS. JOURDAIN
Heaven préserve us ! Mercy on us ! What *s ail
thîs ? What a figure ! Are you goîng a^mumming,
and is this carnival time ? Speak, I say, what does
ît mean ? Who rîgged you up like that ?
MR. JOURDAIN
The impudent woman, to speak thus to a Mama^
mouchi !
MRS. JOURDAIN
How now ?
MR. JOURDAIN
Yes, you must show me respect now; I hâve just
been made Mamamouchi.
MRS. JOURDAIN
What do you mean wîth your Mamamouchi?
MR. JOURDAIN
Mamamouchi, I tell you. I am Mamamouchi.
MRS. JOURDAIN
What kind of beast is tbat ?
133
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MR. JOURDAIN
Mamamouchi, whîch îs to say, in our language,
paladin.
MRS. JOURDAIN
Baladin ! Are you going to dance ballets at your
time o£ lif e ?
MR. JOURDAIN
What an ignoramus. I say paladin: that îs a
dignity in which I hâve just been installed.
MRS. JOURDAIN
HoWy installed ?
MR. JOURDAIN
Mahanutaper lordina.
MRS. JOURDAIN
What 's that?
MR. JOURDAIN
lordina, which is to say Jourdain.
MRS. JOURDAIN
Well, what o£ it, Jourdain ?
MR. JOURDAIN
Voler far un Paladina de lordina.
MRS. JOURDAIN
How?
MR. JOURDAIN
Dar turbanta con galera.
MRS. JOURDAIN
What 's he say?
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 125
MR. JOURDAIN
Per deffender Palestina.
MRS. JOURDAIN
What are you drîvîng at ?
MR. JOURDAIN
DarUy daruy bastonnara.
MRS. JOURDAIN
What îs ail thîs gibberîsh ?
MR. JOURDAIN
Non tener honta^ questa star V ultiffia affronta.
MRS. JOURDAIN
What on earth îs ail that ?
MR. JOURDAIN, singing and dancing
Hou la ba, ba la chou, ba la ba^ ba la da. (Hefalls
down.)
MRS. JOURDAIN
Alas ! Heaven help us ! My husband has gone
mad !
MR. JOURDAIN, gettifig up and going off
Peace, Mîstress Insolence. Show respect to His
Excellency the Mamamouchî.
MRS. JOURDAIN, aloite
What 's become of his sensés ? I must run and
prevent hîm from goîng eut. {Seeing Dorintène
and Dorante) Oh ! oh ! hère 's the rest of our
gang. I see nothîng but vexation whichever way I
turn.
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126 Molière
SCENE II
Dorants, Dorimene
DORANTE
Yes, madam, you shall see the most amusing thîng
imaginable ; I don't believe *t îs possible to find in
ail the world another man as crazy as he. Then,
too, madam, we must try to serve Cléonte in hîs
love-affair, and help him out with this masquerade.
He is an honest fellow, and deserves to hâve us take
his part.
DORIMENE
I esteem him highly, and know he deserves good
fortune.
DORANTE
Besides which, madam, we hâve hère a ballet
which we must n't miss ; I want to see whether my
idea will succeed.
DORIMENE
Yes, I saw there were magnificent préparations
made ; and truly, Dorante, I cannot allow thirgs to
go on so. I must put an end to your extravagance ;
and so, to stop ail this outlay which you lavish. on
me, I hâve resolved to marry you at once. T îs the
only way; for ail such things end, as you know,
after marriage.
DORANTE
Ah ! madam, is it possible you hâve f ormed so
kind a resolution in my favour ?
DORIMENE
T is only to keep you f rom ruining yourself ; for
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 127
otherwise I can see very well that before long you
would not hâve a penny left.
DORANTE
How deeply grateful I am to you, madam, for the
care you take to préserve my estate ! It îs whoUy
yours, and my heart wîth ît. You shall use them
both at your own good pleasure.
DORIMENE
I shall use them both well. But hère is our fel-
low ; and an amazing figure he is !
SCENE III
Mr. Jourdain, Dorimbns, Dorants
DORANTE
Sir, this lady and I hâve corne to pay homage to
your new dignîty, and congratulate you on marry-
ing your daughter to the son o£ the Grand Turk.
MR. JOURDAIN, after having made his salaams
Sir, I wish you the strength of serpents and the
cunning of lions.
DORIMENE
I am very glad to be among the first, sir, to corne
and congratulate you on the height of glory to which
you hâve risen.
MR. JOURDAIN
Madam, may your rose-bush be în bloom ail the"
year round. I am infinitely oblîged to you for your
înterest în the honours that bave corne upon me ;
and I am greatly rejoiced to see you retumed hère,
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128 Molière
so that I may tender to you my most humble ex-
cuses for my wife*s fantastic behaviour.
DORIMENE
That is nothing ; I can excuse such an impulse in
her; your heart must be precious to her, and *tis no
wonder that the possession of a man like you should
inspire some alarms.
MR. JOURDAIN
The possession of my heart is whoUy yours.
DORANTE
You see, madam, that Mr. Jourdain is not one of
those people who are blînded by prosperity, and
that in ail his greatness he still will own his f riends.
DORIMENE
That is the mark of a truly noble souL
DORANTE
Where is His Turkish Highness? We should
like, as friends of yours, to pay him our respects.
MR. JOURDAIN
Hère he comes, and I hâve sent for my daughter
to be married to him.
SCENE IV
Mr. Jourdain, Dorim£N£, Dorante; Clkontb^ dressed
as a Turk
DORANTE, to Cléoftte
Sir, we hâve come to pay our bornage to Your
Highness, as friends of the gentleman your father-
in-law, and respectfuUy to assure you of our most
humble dévotion.
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 129
MR. JOURDAIN
Where îs the dragoman, to tell hîm who you are
and make hîm understand what you are saying?
You shall see that he can answer you ; he speaks
Turkîsh marvellous welL Hallo ! where the deuce
has he gone? (To Cléonté) Stroufy strif^ strof^ straf.
This gentleman is a grande segnore^ grande segnore^
grande segnore; and the lady îs a grande dama^
grande dama. {Seeing that he is not understood)
Alack! {To Cléonte, pointing to Dorante) He be
Mamamouchi Frenchee, and she be Mamamouchess
Frenchee. I can*t speak any more plainly than that.
Grood ! There *s the Interpréter.
SCENE V
Mr. Jourdain, Dorimene, Dorante; Cleonte, dressed
as a Turk ; Covielle, in dtsguise
MR. JOURDAIN
Where are you goîng, now? We can't speak a
word wîthout you. {Pointing to Cléonte) Just tell
hîm that this gentleman and lady are persons of
great qualîty who hâve come as friends o£ mine to
pay theîr respects to hîm, and assure hîm o£ theîr
dévotion. {To Dorimène and Dorante) You shall see
how he '11 answer.
COVIELLE
Alabala crociant acci borant alabanten.
CLEONTE
Catalegui tubal ourin soter amalouchan.
MR. JOURDAIN, to Dorimène and Dorante
You see?
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130 Molière
COVIELLE
He says, May the raîn of prospcrity forever water
the garden of your family.
MR. JOURDAIN
Did n't I tell you he could speak Turldsh !
DORANTE
Admirable.
SCENE VI
LuciLS, Cleonte, Mr. Jourdain, Dorimens, Dorante,
COVIELLE
MR. JOURDAIN
Corne, daughter; corne hère, corne and give your
hand to the gentleman who does you the honour to
ask for you in marriage.
LUCILE
Why, father, what a guy you are ! Are you acting
a play?
MR. JOURDAIN
No, no, 't is no play ; 't îs a very serious matt«-,
and the most honourable for you that heart could
wish. (Pointing to Cléonté) Herc is the husband I
bestow on you.
LUCILE
On me, father?
MR. JOURDAIN
Yes, on you. Corne, put your hand in his, and
thank Heaven for your good fortune.
LUCILE
I don't want to be married.
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 131
MR. JOURDAIN
I want you married, and I *m your father.
LUCILE
l'U do nothîng o£ the kind.
MR. JOURDAIN
Oh! what a to^o! Corne, I tell you. Hère, your
hand.
LUCILE
No, father; I hâve told you, no power can force
me to accept any husband but Cléonte ; and I will
sooner go to ail extremitîes than . . . {Recognising
Cléonte) To be sure, you are my father ; I owe you
entire obédience ; and ît îs for you to dispose of me
according to your pleasure.
MR. JOURDAIN
Ah ! I am charmed to see you retum so quickly
to a sensé of your duty ; I like to hâve an obcdient
daughter.
SCENE VII
Mrs. Jourdain, Cléonte, Mr. Jourdain, Lucile,
Dorante, Dorimene, Covielle
MRS. JOURDAIN
How now ? What 's ail thîs ? I hear you 're set
on marryîng your daughter to a mummer.
MR. JOURDAIN
Will you be still, foolish woman ? You always
corne and thrust in your impertinence everywhere.
*T is impossible to teach you common-sense.
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132 Molière
MRS. JOURDAIN
You are the one 't is impossible to teach any sensé
to ; you go from foUy to folly. What are you drîv-
ing at now, and what do you mean with this crazy
match ?
MR. JOURDAIN
I am going to wed my daughter to the son of the
Grand Turk.
MRS. JOURDAIN
To the son of the Grand Turk ?
MR. jO\3VCDAlt!i,pointing to CoviilU
Yes. Make your compliments to him by the
dragoman there.
MRS. JOURDAIN
l 've no use for any dragoman ; I '11 tell him for
myself, to his face,that he sha'n't hâve my daughter.
MR. JOURDAIN
Will you hold your tongue, I say again ?
DORANTE
What ! Mrs. Jourdain, you set yourself în oppo-
sition to an honour such as this ? You refuse His
Turkish Highness for son-in-law ?
MRS. JOURDAIN
Bless me, sir ! Mind your own business.
DORANTE
T is a great honour, and not to be refused.
MRS. JOURDAIN
Madam, I beg you likewîse not to trouble yourself
about what doesn't concem you.
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman
^33
DORANTE
It îs our frîendship for you that makes us take an
înterest în your welf are.
MRS. JOURDAIN
I *11 get along wîthout your friendship.
DORANTE
Your daughter hère submîts to her father's wîshes.
MRS. JOURDAIN
My daughter consents to marry a Turk ?
DORANTE
Certaînly.
MRS. JOURDAIN
Can she f orget Cléonte ?
DORANTE
What wîll one not do to be a great lady ?
MRS. JOURDAIN
l 'd strangle her wîth my own hands î£ she played
a trîck like that.
MR. JOURDAIN
Thîs îs too much prate. I tell you thîs marrîage
shall be.
MRS. JOURDAIN
And I tell you ît shall not be.
MR. JOURDAIN
Oh ! what a to-do.
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134
Molière
LUCILE
Mother!
MRS. JOURDAIN
Go to, you
Vea
pitiful hussy.
MR. JOURDAIN
What, you scold her for obeying me.
MRS. JOURDAIN
Yes. She is as much mine as yours.
COVIELLE, to Mrs. Jourdain
Madam !
MRS. JOURDAIN
What hâve you got to say about ît ?
COVIELLE
One word.
MRS. JOURDAIN
l 've no use for your word.
COVIELLE, to Mr. Jourdain
Sîr, if she will listen to a word in prîvate, I promise
to make her consent to everything you wish.
MRS. JOURDAIN
I shall not consent.
COVIELLE
Only listen to me.
MRS. JOURDAIN
No.
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 135
MR. JOURDAIN, to Mrs. Jourdain
Listen to him.
MRS. JOURDAIN
No ; I will not listen.
MR. JOURDAIN
He wîll tell you . . .
MRS. JOURDAIN
I won't be told.
MR. JOURDAIN
Just lîke a woman's obstinacy ! Will it do you
any harm to hear him ?
COVIELLE
Only hear me ; then you shall do as you please.
MRS. JOURDAIN
Well! What?
COVIELLE, aside to Mrs. Jourdain
We Ve been making signs to you, madam, this
hour or more. Don't you see that ail this is only
done to humour your husband's whimsies ; that we
are tricking him by this disguise, and that the son of
the Grand Turk is Cléonte himself ?
MRS. JOURDAIN, oside to CavieUe
Oho!
COVIELLE, iiside to Mrs. Jourdain
And I, Covielle, am the dragoman.
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136 Molière
MRS. JOURDAIN, aside to Covielle
Ah ! in that case I give in.
COVIELLE, aside to Mrs. Jourdain
Don't let the cat out of the bag.
MRS. JOURDAIN, aloud
Yes, it b ail right, I consent to the marriage.
MR. JOURDAIN
Ah! now everybody submîts to reason. {To Mrs.
Jourdain) You would n't Ibten to hîm. I was sure
he 'd explain to you about the son of the Grand Turk.
MRS. JOURDAIN
He has explained it to me properly, and I am
satisfied. Let us send for the notary.
DORANTE
Well said. And, Mrs. Jourdain, that your mind
may be perfectly at rest, and that you may abandon
at once ail jealousy of your husband, this lady and
I will make use of the same notary for our marriage.
MRS. JOURDAIN
I give my consent to that, too.
MR. JOURDAIN, aside to Dorante
So, you '11 hoodwink her.
DORANTE, aside to Mr. Jourdain
We must needs put her ofï with this pretence.
MR. JOURDAIN, aside
Good, good. {Aloud) Go fetch the notary.
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The Tradesman Turned Gentleman 137
DORANTE
Whîle he îs comïng, and drawîng up his writîngs
let us see our ballet, and ofïer His Turkîsh Hîghness
the diversion of it.
MR. JOURDAIN
A good îdea. Let *s take our places.
MRS. JOURDAIN
And Nicole ?
MR. JOURDAIN
I give her to the dragoman ; and my wife, to any-
body that will hâve her.
COVIELLE
Sir, I thank you. {Aside) If 't is possible to find a
madder fellow, I '11 go tell ît at Rome.
TAe catnedy ends with the ballet which had been
prepared.
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IRISH FOLK PLAYS
By
LADY GREGORY
First Séries. The Tragédies
GRANIA KINGORA DERVOROILLA
Second Séries. The Tragic Comédies
THE GANAVANS THE WHITE GOGKADE
THE DEUVERER
Lady Ore^ory Ims pref erred going for her material to the tra-
ditioiud f olk-history ratner than to the authorixed printad versions»
and she has been able, in so doing^ to make her uays more living.
One of thèse» Klneora. telling ot Brian Boru» who reigned in the
year zooo. evoked such keen local iaterest that an old f armer
travelled from the neighborhood of Kincora to see it acted in
Dublin.
The st<»7 of Grania* on which Lady Gref^ory bas founded one
of thèse plays, was taken entirely from tradition. Orania was a
beautifol voting woman and was to bave been married to Finn» the
great leader of the Fenians; bnt before the nuurriage» she went
away from the bridegroom with bis handsome yonna kinsman»
Diarmoid. After many years, when Diarmnid had died (and Finn
had a hand in bis death)» she went back to Finn and becana* bis
queen.
Another of Ladv Gregory's plays» The Canttvanm dealt with
the stormy times of Queen Elizabeth» whose memory is a horror in
Ireland second only to that of Cromwell.
The WHltm Coekatim is founded on a tradition of King Jsmes
having escaped from Ireland after the battle of ^e Boyne in a wine
barrer
The choice of folk history rather than written history giTos a
freshness of treatment and elasticity of material which made the
late J. M. Synge say that '< Lady Oregory's method had brought
back the possibility of writing historié plays.'' ^ ^ ^ .
AU thèse plays» except Granla^ which has not yet been stagad»
hâve been rery successf utly perf ormed in Ireland. They are mtten
m the dialect of Kiltartan, which had already become familiar to
readers of Lady Oregory's books.
G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS
NEW YORK LONDON
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Drantas of Importance
Plays
The Stlver Box— Joy— Striffe
By John Galsworthy
Anthor of " The Coontry Hoose/* etc.
GrowB 8vo. $ 1 .3d net
" By common consent, London has witnessed thîs week
a play of serious importance, not approached by any other
book or drama of the season, John Galswormy's * The
Strife.' It is regarded not merely as a remarkable social
document of significance, but as a création which, while of
the most modem realism, is yet dassic in its pronounœd
art and exalted philosophy. The play shows the types of
the strongest men as victims of comical events and of
weaker men. It will be produced in America, where, on
account of its realistic treatment of the subject of labor
union, it is sure to be a sensation." — Spécial cable dispatch
to N. F. Times.
The Nun of Kent d.1.
By Grâce Denio Litchfield
Attthor of *'BAldur the Beantiful," etc.
GrowB 8to« $ 1 .00 net
" In thîs drama the pure essentials of dramatîc''writîng
are rarely blended. . . . The foundation for the stirring
play is a pathetic épisode given in Froude's Henry VIII. . . .
" The lines of the poem, while full of thought, are also
characterized by f ervor and beauty. The strength of the
play is oentred upon a few characters. ... * The Nun
of Kent' may be described as a fasdnating dramatic
story." — Baltimore News.
Yzdra
A Tratfedy tn Three Acts
By Louis V. Ledoux
Crown 8vo» Gloth. $1.2ABet
•• There are both grâce and strength in this drama and
it also possesses the movement and spirit needed for prés-
entation upon the stage. Some of the figures used are
striking and b^autîful, quite free from excess, and some-
times almost austère in their restraint. The characters
are clearly individualized and a just balance is preserved
in the action." — The Outlook, New York.
New York G> P> Putnam's SoflS London
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HARVARD UNIVERSITY
http://lib. harvard, edu
If the item is recalled, the borrower will
be noiifled of the need for an earlier return.
Thankyoufor helping us to préserve our collection!
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